Florida fire chief Brian Easterling accused of killing business owner because victim owed him money

The chief of a volunteer fire division in Florida is accused of fatally capturing a business owner because the victim owed him money, authorities stated. Brian Keith Easterling, 52, was taken into custody earlier Monday at his residence in Holt, Florida and is awaiting extradition from the close by county of Okaloosa, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office stated. 

He was charged with premeditated homicide, the sheriff’s workplace stated in a news launch.

Easterling is chief of the Baker Fire District, a volunteer fire division within the Florida Panhandle. The Baker Fire District’s assistant chief Mark McKenzie stated Easterling was suspended and he would assume Easterling’s position.

McKenzie stated Easterling has volunteered for the district for practically 20 years, and had been serving because the chief for 10, WKRG reported.

The 63-year-old store owner, who was not recognized by officers, was discovered shot to dying inside his business in Pensacola.

Surveillance video from the store captured the killing, the sheriff’s workplace stated.

WKRG reported that Okaloosa deputies assisted the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office by serving a warrant to Easterlings’ residence late Sunday evening. Deputies might be heard ordering the occupants of a house to “exit the residence with your hands in the air.”

Easterling went into custody with out incident, the station reported.