Man Shot, Killed Tenant In St. Pete Area: Pinellas County Sheriff

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A man was charged with murder in the fatal shooting of another man who he said was his tenant, according to a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Deputies responded to reports of a death at a home on 68th Street N. in unincorporated St. Petersburg on Dec. 15, just after 8:30 p.m.

The 911 caller, later identified as 53-year-old James Butler, said that the victim was his tenant and lived in a detached shed on the property, the sheriff’s office said.

When deputies arrived, they found the victim, 32-year-old Aaron Reed, had multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Butler told detectives he had no idea who would want to harm Reed. He also said that he had just gotten home after being released from jail and found his tenant dead on the living room floor, according to PCSO.

During their investigation, detectives found evidence linking Butler to the murder.

Butler was arrested Thursday and charged with first-degree murder. He was booked into Pinellas County Jail.