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Fla. fire chief arrested, charged with premeditated murder

Surveillance video reportedly shows Baker Fire Chief Brian Keith Easterling shoot a business owner over a financial dispute

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Baker Fire Chief Brian Easterling has been charged with premeditated murder.

Photo/Baker Fire District

By FireRescue1 staff

ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. — A Florida fire chief has been arrested in the shooting death of a Pensacola business owner.

Baker Fire Chief Brian Keith Easterling was arrested at his home Sunday and has been charged with premeditated murder. He is currently awaiting extradition to Escambia County.

The shooting, which took place on Thursday, was reportedly tied to a “dispute about prior business deals, where the victim allegedly owed Easterling money,” Wear-TV reported.

Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said video surveillance showed Easterling enter the business and shoot the owner, whose name has not yet been released.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to Wear-TV that Easterling, 52, is the Baker fire chief.

Easterling is being held without bond.

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