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911 Calls Detail Bradenton Restaurant Manager's Slaying

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By KRIS TURNER

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Published: June 4, 2008

BRADENTON - Frantic patrons of Peach's screamed, "Oh, my God," as they saw Pamela LeRose being shot to death Saturday outside the restaurant she managed.

Authrities say that as a crowd watched Matthew B. White, 27, leave LeRose's body near a tree and get in her blue Jeep Grand Cherokee, callers at the Cortez Road location flooded 911 lines.

"She's shot several times," one caller said. "Oh, my God. She's not moving." In the background, people urged others to get away from the restaurant's door as yelling continued.

"She's dead. She's not moving," the caller said.

Before she was shot, LeRose called White's name, signaling to onlookers that she knew White, an ex-boyfriend who authorities say had been stalking her.

Bystanders were shocked to find LeRose clinging to life. "She's still breathing," a caller said.

One caller reported hearing about five shots.

Other callers gave descriptions of White, from his gray shirt to his goatee, to aid police who were on their way. He was found that day in LeRose's vehicle with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

The Bradenton Police Department released copies of the 911 calls Tuesday.

It also released a call that one of LeRose's daughters made to police earlier Saturday, reporting that White had jumped a fence in their backyard.

"My mom told me to call police," the girl said.

The dispatcher told the girl that her mother should file a restraining order against White, instructing him not approach her. That advice came too late, because that call was placed about 10:14 a.m. The 911 calls reporting that LeRose had been shot began about 15 minutes later.

Police are still trying to determine where White's gun came from and how long he had it, Lt. Keith Davis said.

"We've got some unanswered questions," he said.

On Tuesday afternoon, police met to discuss the case and review the 911 tapes. Police have not found any video of the shooting.

White did not leave a suicide note. Police are still investigating his death, Davis said.

"We are still investigating that part of it," he said.

Other than a few loose ends, the case is coming to a close, Davis said.

"It's pretty much wrapped up," he said.

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