Suspected 7-Eleven Killer Behind Bars, 2 Others Let Go

This story originally posted July 11, 2013 at 11:14 a.m.

Lawrence Robert Bongiovanni is behind bars in Charlotte County, booked on "one count of first-degree premeditated murder with a weapon" in the brutal stabbing slaying of 7-Eleven clerk Kenneth Lee Redding, according to a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office report.

Meanwhile, two other men also captured in the case last night, Russell Beasley, 25, and Brandan Garrett Green, 23, have been released.

Detectives reportedly interviewed the two men "late into the early morning hours and determined at this point there is not enough evidence to connect them" to the July 10 killing, at the 7-Eleven at 11015 Bloomingdale Avenue in Riverview, across the street from the Winthrop community.

Bondgiovanni, 20, held without bond, was awaiting extradition to the Hillsborough County Jail, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office report, issued early today, July 11. His Charlotte County booking sheet gave his address as homeless.
 
As for Beasley and Green, "detectives are still attempting to gather additional evidence and information on what role they may have played after the homicide regarding cashing the stolen lottery tickets," the report notes.

As reported earlier, Bondgiovanni allegedly fled the 7-Eleven on foot after stealing scratch-off lottery tickets. He then met up with Beasley. Among the stolen lottery tickets were some winners, which were cashed in at two convenience stores in the area and then as well at locations as the pair headed south on Interstate 75, according to Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee, who spoke to reporters on the scene yesterday.

At his late-afternoon press conference, Gee said the lookout was on for Bondgiovanni and Beasley, and for a third man they were believed to be with.

Now, "Beasley and Green are fully cooperating with investigators and after consulting with the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office, detectives have released both men," according to today's report. "Both men are now being considered as material witnesses while investigators continue with the investigation."

Homicide detectives request that anyone with any information regarding this incident to contact them at 813-247-8200.

According to jail records, Bongiovanni was arrested three times between 2009 and 2011, for charges ranging from violation of probation to aggravated battery with great bodily harm. His reported addresses were in the Heather Lakes, Clair Mal/Palm River and Progress Village areas, in 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

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