Homeless Man Charged in St. Pete Beach Murder

ST. PETE BEACH, FL — The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of a 51-year-old man following a Thursday afternoon beating death.

According to the agency, Kenneth Darling, 41, and Bruce Wilson were drinking alcohol together at the western end of 78th Avenue near Blind Pass around 1:55 p.m. Thursday. The two men began to argue and Wilson started beating Darling, an email from the sheriff’s office said. Witnesses later told deputies that Wilson struck Darling in the face about six to seven times.

When deputies responded to the scene, they found Darling unresponsive. He was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

Wilson, who has no known address, was charged with one count of second-degree murder. Detectives say alcohol impairment was a factor in the death.

Wilson was booked into the Pinellas County Jail without bond. He remained there Friday.

Booking photo courtesy of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office