Jury Finds Man Guilty in 2022 La Barkania Bar Murder

A Manatee County jury has found Mario Alba-Reyes, 28, guilty of second-degree murder in connection with the 2022 shooting death of Domingo Mendez outside La Barkania Bar and Restaurant in Bradenton.

The verdict was delivered Tuesday night, concluding a trial that began on March 31, 2025. The fatal incident occurred on the night of October 29, 2022, when Mendez, 41, and his girlfriend attempted to enter the bar, located at 2209 9th Street West. A confrontation broke out between Mendez and two men, including Alba-Reyes, after an initial bump and exchange of words.

After the verbal dispute, Mendez and his girlfriend returned to their vehicle, but Alba-Reyes followed them. He retrieved a firearm from his own car and shot Mendez in the head at close range before fleeing the scene. Mendez succumbed to his injuries two days later, on October 31.

Investigators from the Manatee Homicide Investigation Unit quickly identified Alba-Reyes as the suspect. Surveillance footage captured him leaving the scene in a Mitsubishi Endeavor, which struck a stop sign while attempting to flee. The SUV was later recovered, and its damage aligned with evidence from the crash site.

On November 4, 2022, Alba-Reyes surrendered to authorities. Following his trial, the jury reached a guilty verdict, and Alba-Reyes now awaits sentencing. The case was prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office of the 12th Judicial Circuit.