UPDATE: Ex-Motel Security Guard Accused of Shooting Manager, Killing Self is ID'd

Updated, 1:22 p.m.:

Detectives have identified Anthony Graig Taylor, 45, as the man accused of shooting a manager at a St. Petersburg motel and then killing himself early Tuesday morning, St. Petersburg Police.

Witnesses told police Taylor had worked as a security guard and was staying in one of the rooms at the New Plaza Motel but was fired about two months ago because he had gotten into "several confrontations" with motel patriots, St. Petersburg Police said on its Facebook page Tuesday.

Taylor was still allowed to rent a room after his firing but had recently been told he was evicted because he was behind on his rent, police said.

The motive in the shooting of manager Jerome Horacek remains unclear, police said, because Horacek was not responsible for Taylor's firing or eviction. The two had had "casual conversation" about an hour before the shooting, officials said.

Detectives said they believe Taylor may have been attempting to rob Horacek, "who immediately attempted to flee once Taylor entered the office and pointed the handgun at him," the police Facebook post stated. Taylor "was seen shooting out of the window at the office entrance as Horacek fled.

Horaceck suffered multiple gunshot wounds in his upper torso but is expected to survive, authorities said.

A K-9 unit later found Taylor's body in a lot at 3462 3rd Ave. N. after he had apparently committed suicide with the same handgun used in the shooting, according to police.

The investigation is still ongoing.

Earlier:

A former security guard who was fired from his job at a St. Petersburg motel and evicted from his room shot the motel's manager and then killed himself, police said Tuesday morning.

Officers say the former employee wounded 57-year-old Jerome Horacek, manager at the New Plaza Motel, 400 34th St. N., shortly after 4:30 a.m. Tuesday. Horacek suffered a non-life threatening gunshot wound to his upper body and was treated and released from Bayfront Medical Center.

The former guard, whose name has not yet been released, then fled the area as officers converged on the motel, police said. The man ran to the 3500 block of Third Avenue North, where he allegedly shot himself. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say there were several witnesses to the incident.

The ex-employee had recently been fired and served with an eviction notice from the motel, according to police.

The investigation is ongoing.

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