Bradenton, Fla. — An estimated 350 people attended worship Dec. 7 at Bayshore Baptist Church, Bradenton, Fla., to pay respects to Pastor Tripp Battle, a former student pastor at First Baptist Church, Albertville, who died at the Florida church Dec. 4 in what police believe is a triple homicide.
That same morning murder suspect Andy Avalos Jr. appeared in court for the first time. Avalos was captured without incident Dec. 6 at a trailer park not far from the church. He was charged with three counts of second-degree murder and confined to Manatee County Jail without bond.
Avalos’ wife, Amber, who also worked at Bayshore Baptist, was found dead in the couple’s home along with Denise Potter, who cleaned houses with Amber.
Prosecutors said in court that Avalos gave a full confession to all three killings.
Authorities didn’t say where Andy Avalos was during a 51-hour manhunt or why he decided to turn himself in.
Second-degree murder is the unlawful killing of a human being without premeditation, sometimes called a “crime of passion” because it is motivated by a sudden impulse like rage rather than a “premeditated design” to kill another person. It is punishable by life in prison.
Avalos’ next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 9.
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