Brotherton Murder Suspect Arrested

A tip from a witness led authorities to the arrest of a Sarasota man in connection to the Nov. 21 shooting of James Brotherton.

Charles L. Hill Jr., 31, was arrested today and charged with Murder while Engaged in a Certain Felony Offense, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Department. He was booked into the Sarasota County Jail, with no bond.

Hill's arraignment was set for Jan. 6, 2012.

The arrest and murder charge follow the release of surveillance photos and a video showing  Brotherton of Port Charlotte, and a man in black clothing at the  ATM at 11:47 p.m.

Brotherton was fatally shot about four minutes later and his body was found in front of the Gulf Gate Library at 12:30 a.m. on Nov. 22.

Brotherton, the father of three, worked as a Sarasota County bus driver, according to Fox News. The Port Charlotte man had worked for the county for 13 years, and was married for five years, according to the Sarasota Herald Tribune.

Deputies received a tip Friday from a witness. According to the Sheriff's Office, the witness said that Hill, who lived on the 4100 block of Westminster Drive, had asked for a ride to Gulf Gate Drive and Gateway Avenue on the night of the murder, because he needed to see someone who owed him money.

While Hill met up with Brotherton, the witness was told to wait near Boar's Head Lounge, according to the probable cause affidavit. The witness then saw Hill drive a car with a trunk open, and that the car didn't stop, according to the affidavit.

Just after midnight on Nov. 22, Hill contacted the witness and asked to be picked up on U.S. 41, just north of Stickney Point Road. When Hill got in the car he told the witness that he shot and killed Brotherton, because he "mouthed off" and would not get in the trunk of his vehicle, according to the Sheriff's Office.

The witness then "became very scared and drove Hill home because he feared for his safety," according to the affadavit.

An all-night operation coordinated by investigative detectives, undercover detectives and SWAT resulted in Hill's arrest today as he exited a shopping center.