Man Fatally Shoots His Ex-Girlfriend at Medical Office in Florida
On January 16, 2026, a medical lab in Bradenton, Florida, became the site of a violent attack that left one healthcare worker dead and another critically injured. This wasn’t a random act of violence. It was premeditated, according to law enforcement, and involved a domestic relationship that spilled into the workplace.
Keith Roberts Jr., a security guard from Manatee Memorial Hospital, entered the lab during broad daylight, carrying a shotgun and a handgun. He shot and killed his ex-girlfriend, Myshaela ‘Shayla’ Burnham, 29, at her desk and then turned the gun on her coworker, Summer Freitag, 26, who witnessed the shooting.
Freitag is a nurse, and she was shot four times and remains in critical condition at a local hospital. She was so badly injured that, according to reports, the first responders on the scene applied three tourniquets to try to stop the bleeding. She was shot in both arms, her right leg, and her chest, including her left lung.
The shooting was initially called into 911 by neighbors, who heard the gunshots, and it took local police some time before finding Roberts and figuring out the motive.
Roberts killed Myshaela ‘Shayla’ Burnham, who was a mother and a nurse. According to reports, Roberts and Burnham had been in a relationship that ended about a month ago.
“He apparently didn’t take that very well. And he came to her office to kill her,” Bradenton Police Chief Josh Cramer commented.
A GoFundMe has been set up for Burhnam by her sister. On the donation page her sister wrote:
“On January 15, my beautiful sisters life was tragically cut short. Myshaela was a bright light in every life she touched. She was the granddaughter of Linda and Kevin Goda, the daughter of Jamie Burnham. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating. This fund will be used for her son’s future endeavors.”
Another GoFundMe has also been set up for Summer, who was described as a “dedicated healthcare worker.”
The GoFundMe reports that Summer is “stable” but faces a long road to recovery, both emotionally and physically. An update on the account said Summer underwent surgery on Jan. 18 to “repair” all her extremities that were injured in the attack.
The nurse’s sister, who worked at the same lab but wasn’t on shift that day, told a local news outlet that she is a ‘living miracle’ and will face ‘lifelong issues’ from the result of the gunshot wounds.
While it is true that healthcare settings are at a higher risk than many other places of employment, the Bradenton incident also highlights the sobering reality of domestic violence.
According to OSHA, about 16% of workplace homicides are linked to personal relationships, while 25% of workplace homicides of female victims are from someone they know.
The shooter, a hospital security guard, had authorized access to the building and targeted his ex-girlfriend, tragically ending her life and severely injuring a coworker.
Roberts has been charged with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder, and a hearing has been scheduled for January 23, 2026.
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