Monroe County, FL –The owner of a strip mall in Monroe County is now facing upgraded charges after a grand jury indictment for the fatal shooting of a 21-year-old man in an alleyway near his business.
57-year-old Lloyd Preston Brewer III is now facing one count each of murder in the first degree, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and violation of a concealed firearm permit, according to the indictment.
He was originally charged with murder in the second degree with a deadly weapon without premeditation following the shooting death of Garrett Hughes.
Authorities say Brewer fatally shot Hughes on Feb. 13th after finding him urinating on a wall in the alleyway behind the Conch Town Liquor & Lounge in the Searstown shopping center owned by Brewer.
According to the report, Hughes had just come from the lounge and was intoxicated.
Officials say Brewer was driving in the lot at the time and noticed Hughes urinating on his business.
Brewer then got out of his vehicle, confronted, Hughes, and fatally shot him in the stomach.
Authorities say they were called to the area around 12:00 a.m. in regards to the shooting.
“I stood my ground,” Brewer told detectives, however, witness reports and video footage from the scene told a different story.
Officials found that Brewer was never in any danger.
“Brewer could not identify exactly what was aggressive or threatening about Hughes’ behavior and denied having seen Hughes in possession of any weapons, ” police said.
It was also stated that after shooting the victim, Brewer then pointed the gun at the victim’s brother and threatened to shoot him as well.
A bail hearing for Brewer is scheduled for later on Wednesday.
The victim’s family has filed a memo requesting that Brewer remain jailed without bail because he is a flight risk.
According to the report, the memo details Brewer’s extensive wealth family, “substantial ties outside the state,” and lengthy criminal history including “acts of violence, firearms, assault, alcohol, drugs, and dishonesty, ” as reasons to keep Brewer in jail before the trial.

Florida business owner fatally shoots man urinating on side of building