Thursday, September 28, an 81-year-old man who served as a security guard at a High Point senior residential community in Brooksville, Florida, was killed while on duty.
At 10:15 p.m., a 911 call was made, alerting police to come to investigate what was originally thought to be a medical incident in Brooksville. Upon the police’s arrival at High Point, they discovered the death of Ed Mead and pivoted their efforts to begin investigating the crime. They later found Jeremy Jason Patterson, 23, in a wooded area near the senior community.
On Friday, September 29, Patterson was arrested and charged with murder concerning the death of Mead, according to police reports.
Specific details regarding the motive or the circumstances leading to this incident have not yet been fully disclosed. The local police department is investigating the case, collecting evidence, and reconstructing the events that culminated in this tragic killing.
Despite Brooksville being generally regarded as a secure place, particularly for seniors, this incident is raising concerns about the effectiveness of the existing safety and security measures. The community now grapples with the need to reassess and bolster the precautions to prevent similar incidents.
Mead was highly respected within the community, not only for his role as a security employee but also as a trusted figure for the residents who relied on him to ensure their safety.