Good Samaritan fatally shot at resto after buying customers meals, giving cash

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A good Samaritan was fatally shot at a restaurant in Gainesville, Florida, after he got involved in an altercation with another patron.

The man, identified as 41-year-old Craig Brewer, was at a Waffle House on West Newberry Road when he was shot and killed by 25-year-old Ezekiel Hicks on April 7, as per Alachua County Sheriff’s press release via Facebook on the same day.

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Brewer was paying for the meals of the restaurant’s customers and giving out $20 bills shortly before his death, according to The Gainesville Sun on April 8. A woman, who was with Hicks, apparently got angry because Brewer did not include payment for her meal.

“The victim was engaging folks at the restaurant and there was a disagreement with a female customer,” Lt. Brett Rhodenizer said in the report.

Hicks then confronted Brewer and at one point left the restaurant, only to return with a gun. The two got into a physical altercation before Hicks shot Brewer. Brewer was found with gunshot wounds to the head, as per authorities.

“The evidence in the case is fairly straightforward. We’re working with the state attorney. It’s pretty obvious. We have on video what happened,” Rhodenizer said in the report. “There was at least one gunshot to the head but the medical examiner will offer authoritative information on that.”

Investigators were able to recover a 9-mm Glock pistol at the scene. Hicks, who faced drug charges in 2017 but evaded jail time, has since been charged with first-degree murder.  Cody Cepeda /ra

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