No updates on in slaying of Manatee School for the Arts teacher

The North Port Police Department has not made an arrest in the March 29 killing of teacher Kenneth Ellis, according to a detective.

At one point, detectives were working close to 100 leads in this case but nothing new had developed as of Tuesday morning, a detective said. The Manatee School For the Arts teacher was shot and killed at the doorway of his North Port home when he answered the doorbell at about 10 p.m. He was later transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound to the upper torso.

Ellis’ wife and other witnesses told police they saw two people wearing dark clothing and masks flee from the area, perhaps in a dark-colored car.

 In the weeks following his death, students and teachers at MSA mourned his death with a service that looked back on Ellis’ legacy as a tae kwon do master and history teacher.

Those at the school also started a fund to collect money for information leading to an arrest in his slaying.

Law enforcement continue to work toward an arrest in Ellis’ death and ask for anyone with information to call the North Police Police Department at (941) 429-730.