On September 27, a deadly argument occurred at Stout’s Automotive in Largo, Florida, resulting in the loss of two lives. Eugene Frank Becker, 78, a former customer of the shop, and Jodie Stout, 52, the shop’s owner, were the individuals involved. The root cause of their disagreement was Becker’s claim that he was overcharged for vehicle repairs that took place two years prior.
Witness accounts and details from the Largo Police Department indicate that Becker drove to the shop in a rental car specifically looking for Stout. When they met inside the shop, an altercation began. In the midst of this, Becker brandished a handgun and shot at Stout. The victim, in defense, drew his own weapon and fired back. Tragically, the encounter resulted in fatal wounds to both parties.
Both were immediately taken to a hospital but were declared deceased upon arrival.
As the Largo Police Department delved deeper into the background of the incident, they found that Becker had voiced concerns about being unfairly charged during a visit in 2021. On a related note, it was found that a recent car accident in September 2022 had significantly affected Becker’s emotional well-being, which might have heightened the dispute’s severity.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding this event is ongoing.