BELLE GLADE, Fla. — An 86-year-old Florida man who had been a longtime employee at a sugar cane facility is accused of fatally shooting his boss after he was fired, authorities said.
Felix Cabrera, 86, was arrested Friday and was charged with premeditated first-degree murder, according to Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office’s online booking records.
Sheriff’s office spokesperson Teri Barbera said Cabrera had worked at Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida for 31 years, WPTV reported. On Friday morning, Cabrera was instructed to clock out and not return to work, the television station reported.
According to Barbera, Cabrera asked his supervisor if he could retain his job for another year. When the 67-year-old man said no, Cabrera pulled a gun from his pocket and shot the man multiple times, WPEC reported.
The victim, who lived in nearby Martin County, has not been identified, WPTV reported. The shooting occurred at about 10:45 a.m. EDT.
When deputies arrived at the facility, they found the victim dead near the entrance to the building, the television station reported. After searching the building, deputies found Cabrera, who was holding a handgun, WPBF reported.
“We are horrified and deeply saddened by the senseless violence that occurred today,” Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida officials said in a statement. “The victim was part of the Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative family, and we are praying for the victim’s loved ones, as well as all our team members and growers. We will be there for one another in the days, weeks and months ahead.
“We also thank the first responders who bravely and quickly responded to this tragic situation.”
Cabrera will appear in court on Saturday, WPEC reported.