LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. — Benjamin Austin Paige was taken into custody earlier today after fatally shooting his male victim Sunday outside the victims home. Deputies found the victim with multiple gunshot wounds.
“Witnesses confirmed the victim exited the residence, with the intention of meeting an acquaintance while outside that victim was fatally shot” said Sheriff Carmine Marceno.
Lee County Sheriff’s office says the suspect has a long criminal history, and this was not a random act, due to a sexual history between the Paige and his victim.
“After our investigation revealed Paige was sexually involved with the victim in this case, and recently became angry over the refusal to delete sexually explicit images between the two” said Sheriff Marcelo.
One neighbor told me this news comes as a shock to him.
“I’ve been living here since 2011 and I’ve never heard anything wrong going on, and I’ve been here. It’s safe around here, so I was surprised to know that there was s shooting on this street” said, Martin Fleury.
Telling Fox 4 the neighbors look out for one another.
“I got a few friends here, this neighbor over there, you know we’re always together here. We talk to each other and you know we look after one another” said Fleury.
Adding he hopes this kind of violence does not turn into a pattern.
“I hope that it does not continue in this area, because we feel safe here and then all of a sudden, something like that happens” said Fleury.
At this time Paige has been charged with second-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The sheriff’s office described Paige as a violent thug saying they are thankful he is off the streets.
