HERNANDO COUNTY, FL. (THECOUNT) — John Baumstark, of Bridgeville, Florida, has been identified as the suspect accused of a fatal vehicle shooting following an argument at a Brookville party Saturday night, according to reports.
Baumstark, 40, was taken into custody by Hernando County Sheriff’s Office after they say he shot and killed a man he had been arguing with at a party earlier in the night.
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Police say Baumstark and the victim had attended a party at 26393 Seidel Street in Brooksville earlier in the night when they engaged in an argument. Investigators say the pair eventually made up and “shook hands.” The other man then offered Baumstark a ride in his vehicle.
Baumstark entered the victim’s vehicle and the pair drove away from the scene.
A very short time and distance later, residences in the area heard shots ring out at the same time observed several bright flashes emanating from within the vehicle.
The sheriff’s office said a resident near the vehicle heard gunshots and saw Baumstark running from the victim’s car, reports WFLA.
A witness to the incident asked the suspect, “Did you kill [the victim]?” Baumstark responded, “Yes,” and then reportedly ran to his vehicle and fled the scene.
Upon police arrival, deputies found the victim still in the driver’s side of the vehicle, unresponsive with his foot still on the brake pedal. He had several gunshot wounds on him. Deputies said the victim was obviously deceased.
About 90 minutes later, deputies found Baumstark at his residence, located at 13415 Ester Dr., in Brooksville, FL. Deputies observed a firearm in “plain sight” located inside the suspect vehicle.
The sheriff’s office said Baumstark was cooperative with detectives.
It is unknown if a motive in the killing was over the argument or if it was something else that led up to the fatal shooting.
The victim was not immediately identified by authorities.
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Geo quick facts: Brooksville is a city in and the county seat of Hernando County, Florida, United States. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 7,719, up from 7,264 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area – Wikipedia.