Employee Charged With Murder In Boss’ Death: Venice Police

VENICE, FL — A man is accused of murder after killing his boss during a fight outside a Venice business on Monday morning, authorities said.

Officers responded to a reported altercation in the 200 block of South Grove Street around 6 a.m.

Before they arrived, a witness saw the victim, Jeffrey Hubbard, 67, physically fighting with his employee, Richard Barker, 42, in front of the unnamed business at 234 Grove Street S., Venice police said in a news release.

The witness also said that Barker dragged Hubbard toward a pickup truck, leaving him on the ground before briefly leaving the scene, police said. Barker returned to the area with a trailer.

Shortly after this, officers arrived and detained Barker.

They also found Hubbard unresponsive outside the business. Despite life-saving efforts by officers and Venice Fire Rescue, he died from his injuries.

Hubbard’s official cause and manner of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner’s Officer and released at a later date, police said.

While detained, Barker “admitted responsibility for the incident,” police said.

Based on evidence and after consultation with the State Attorney’s Office, he was charged with second-degree murder and tampering with evidence, investigators said.

“While Venice is a safe community, we want the public to understand that serious crime does occur,” Chief Andy Leisenring said.

This is the third murder arrest made by Venice police in the past six months, the chief added.

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