Crime & Safety

Deadly Shooting: Triggerman Returns to Security Guard Job

A roadside confrontation between two drivers last March ended with the deadly shooting of East Lake resident, Brandon Baker. Palm Harbor Patch has learned that the triggerman, Seth Browning, has returned to his job as a security guard.

Five months after an early-morning altercation between two drivers ended with a deadly shooting on a road in Boot Ranch, the investigation into the death of 30 year-old East Lake residentΒ Brandon BakerΒ continues, and his family is waiting for the outcome.

State Attorney Bernie McCabe's office is investigating the March 6 shooting, which a sheriff's detective had told Baker's father appeared to be a "stand your ground" case. The controversial Florida law allows people to protect themselves when they have a reasonable fear for their lives.

The man who shot Brandon Baker is a 23 year-old security guard namedΒ Seth Browning.Β Browning was off-duty at the time of the shooting andΒ told detectives he followed Baker to get his license tag information because he was concerned about his driving. Baker, who was unarmed, was shot and killed during the confrontation that happened on a road leading to Baker's apartment. Browning says he fired when Baker allegedly hit him and continued to go after him after he sprayed Baker with maceΒ .

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The case was turned over to the state attorney's office in April. As of Thursday afternoon, a spokesperson for Bernie McCabe's office says the case is still under investigation.

Shortly after the shooting,Β BrowningΒ was placed on administrative leave from his job at Largo-basedΒ Critical Intervention Services (CIS). On Thursday, a spokesperson for CIS told Palm Harbor Patch that Browning is back at work.

Find out what's happening in Palm Harborfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Brandon Baker's family is still coping with their loss. On Thursday, Baker's father,Β Kevin LindsayΒ told Palm Harbor Patch that Brandon's motherΒ BonnieΒ still gets choked up when she talks about Brandon and healing will be a long process.

Baker also explained what he knows about the investigation into his son's death,Β "It is kind of up to what Bernie McCabe is going to do."Β 

Lindsay said he is unsure whether Browning will be charged in connection with his son's death.Β "They don't have a whole lot to stand on to convict him. There's not a whole lot of evidence to support that he did anything wrong," he said.

Lindsay was not happy to learn that his son's killer was back on the job.

"It doesn't feel good to know that the guy who shot my son has his gun back and is back at work," he said.

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