A security guard stands accused of killing a man who tried to flee an illegal Jacksonville gambling den with stolen cash. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) has arrested a security guard who stands accused of killing a man following an altercation in an illegal gambling den in Brentwood, Florida.

A JSO report published Tuesday stated that Earl Coleman, 61, shot and killed Martiaz McGruder, 23, outside the illegal gambling establishment after the deceased tried to flee the scene with stolen cash.

 

McGruder snatched a $5,000 roll of cash and headed for the exit

JSO stated that the incident began on December 23 when McGruder assaulted the gambling den’s manager, who the redacted report did not name. As both men fell onto a gambling table, McGruder snatched a $5,000 roll of cash and headed for the exit.

The manager, whom the JSO said feared for his life, called on the armed Coleman for help. Coleman confronted the would-be thief outside the premises, who briefly raised his hands in surrender before attempting to flee the scene.

The Jacksonville security guard pursued McGruder, firing his weapon three times after the fleeing man hopped into a car. The gunfire hit McGruder, who died later at the University of Florida Health after the incident.

According to witnesses, McGruder was unarmed and did not make any threatening moves towards Coleman. According to News 4 Jax, the US Marshals Task Force helped arrest Coleman on Friday after officials identified him as the suspect.

Police are holding Coleman in the Duval County jail without bond, and that he faces charges of second-degree murder and “possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.”