State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Nicholas Lee Shermer was convicted after jury trial of Murder In The Second Degree With A Firearm. The crime was committed on 08/27/2023 and investigated by the Bradenton Police Department. The trial was held at the Manatee County Courthouse on April 21st through April 23rd, 2025.
The crime carries a maximum possible sentence of LIFE in prison.
The minimum mandatory sentence is 25 years to Life.
Sentencing date is yet to be determined.
On August 27, 2023, the defendant shot and killed his then-girlfriend, Amanda Shoaf, in their apartment at Carlton Arms. The defendant shot the victim four times, and she was killed almost instantly by the fourth shot. The defendant called 911 sometime after killing Amanda and admitted, “I shot my girlfriend.” This day the victim was killed, August 27th, 2023, was her 27th birthday.
The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney (ASA) Garrett Franzen commented, “We are very pleased with the jury’s verdict and thankful that the family of Amanda Shoaf can begin to feel some closure after losing Amanda to a senseless act of domestic violence. A special thanks goes out to the men and women of the Bradenton Police Department, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and all others who investigated this crime and assisted in obtaining this verdict.“
If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Assistant State Attorney Garrett Franzen in the Manatee County office at 941-747-3077.