Suspect arrested in Fla. triple slaying

BRADENTON, Fla. — A Florida man sought in the slayings of three people, including his wife and the pastor at his church, was arrested Saturday afternoon, authorities say.

Andres "Andy" Avalos, 33, was taken into custody at a mobile home park in Bradenton, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. The Associated Press, citing an email from sheriff's spokesman Dave Bristow, said that Avalos has been charged with murder and was being held without bond.

Authorities said Avalos is a suspect in a spree that began Thursday with the killings of his 33-year-old wife, Amber Avalos, who was a Sunday school aide, and 45-year-old neighbor Denise Potter, at the Avaloses' home in Bradenton. Sheriff's officials said the suspect then went to Bayshore Baptist Church, where Amber Avalos worked, and fatally shot 31-year-old pastor James "Tripp" Battle.

Church members had said the pastor's wife was at the church at time of the shooting, and she told police about the other two victims. It wasn't clear how she knew Amber Avalos and Denise Potter had been slain at the Avaloses' home in Bradenton about 10 miles from the church.

Sheriff's deputies said Avalos' vehicle was found abandoned Friday in a store parking lot near Bradenton, 45 miles south of Tampa.

The Avaloses have six children, ages 3 to 14. They were at school when officers found out about the shootings and the schools were put on lockdown for a time for fear that Avalos would attempt to pick them up. Deputies said the children were since put in the custody of a relative.

Bristow had no further information Saturday. He had said earlier in the week that investigators didn't know "exactly what transpired."

The Bradenton Herald initially reported the arrest Saturday and said it occurred about two blocks from the church.

Earlier Saturday, Avalos' family made a desperate plea, urging him to turn himself in to police.

Contributing: The Associated Press