Manatee School for the Arts raising award money for tips on who killed teacher

The North Port Police Department is working 50 leads now concerning the March 29 shooting death of Manatee School For the Arts teacher Ken Ellis.

But if finding a killer is a numbers game where the more leads the police have, the better the chances at an arrest and conviction, Ellis’ colleagues are trying to make it attractive for people to call in and generate numbers.

Colleagues of Ellis at the school recently started a campaign called “Raise the Reward” to help motivate people to come forward with information.

The campaign has so far raised $2,000 toward a goal of $10,000, said Manatee School For the Arts staff member Kelly Hillman.

“We are reaching out to community members, businesses, and corporations in an effort to raise enough money to motivate anyone with information regarding Ken Ellis’ murder,” Hillman said. Callers can remain anonymous and are eligible to receive a cash reward if the information given leads to an arrest and/or conviction, Hillman said.

Ellis was shot and killed when he opened the door of his North Port home after someone had rung his doorbell.


Callers with donations can contact Hillman at (941) 504-4335, (941) 721-6800, ext. 1145, or khillman@msfta.org.