A former Florida cop, now working as a security guard, was off-duty when he shot and killed a man during a bar fight early Sunday morning, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
Former Riviera Beach police officer Jason Gilbert was arrested and charged with homicide Monday, a day after a violent bar scuffle ended deadly.
Gilbert, 42, was patronizing Blue Boar Tavern on February 16, which is less than two miles from his house, according to Palm Beach Post.
The scuffle started between Gilbert and Aaron Small inside the bar and escalated outside.
It was around 3:30 a.m., when Gilbert reportedly shot Small before fleeing the scene, no longer protected by his Blue Privilege.
Small was rushed to the hospital, where he later died.
Gilbert was booked into Palm Beach County Jail and is being held without bond. Circuit Judge Ted Booras also ordered Gilbert to have no contact or communication with Smalls’ family, witnesses and the bar.
Gilbert worked with Riviera Beach Police department from February 2001 until April 2007 when he voluntarily left. It is currently unclear why he left. Photography is Not a Crime has requested a copy of his resignation after business hours and will update once we have received a copy.
Since he resigned, he has been working as a security guard in Wellington, a village in Palm Beach County. A public defender is currently representing Gilbert.