KEY WEST, Fla. — A Key West strip mall owner accused of shooting and killing a 21-year-old man urinating on the side of his building has had his murder charge upgraded following an indictment by a Monroe County grand jury.
The indictment against Lloyd Preston Brewer III was issued Thursday in Monroe County court.
Originally charged with second-degree murder in the death of Garrett Hughes, Brewer has now been charged with first-degree murder, in addition to counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and violation of a concealed firearm permit.
Prosecutors allege that Brewer, 57, shot and killed Hughes just before 12:30 a.m. on Feb. 13 after confronting a shirtless and unarmed Hughes for urinating behind Conch Town Liquor & Lounge at 3340 N. Roosevelt Blvd.
The bar is a tenant of a multi-storefront building at the Searstown shopping center owned by Brewer and his family.
Brewer tried to claim self-defense following the shooting, but prosecutors said video evidence contradicted that claim. In interrogation footage obtained by Local 10 News, Brewer told Key West police detectives: “I stood my ground.”
He remains held in the Monroe County Jail without bond, according to jail records. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for July 7.
Copyright 2023 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.