Clearwater police arrest man accused of killing his partner Josh Fiallo, Tampa Bay Times
CLEARWATER The man who is accused of killing his domestic partner at the Palmetto Park Apartments was arrested Tuesday morning, according to the Clearwater Police Department.
Arthur Benjamin Jr., also known as Hadeeka Shabazz, faces one count of first-degree murder.
Benjamin, 49, confessed Tuesday morning to killing Keri Washington, according to police. Court records about the case say that Washington’s head was struck against a light pole by Benjamin between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. on May 1 during a domestic dispute.
Washington died from the trauma sustained to her head, the records said. She was discovered later in the morning by a relative who lived with her. The relative alerted authorities and said in a 911 call that Washington had been “beaten to death.”
Black Trans Woman Keri Washington Killed in Florida
Washington was found dead Saturday in Clearwater, and police have identified a suspect and issued an arrest warrant. May 05 2021 11:04 PM EDT
Keri Washington, 49, of Clearwater, Fla., has become the latest victim of the epidemic of violence against transgender women.
Washington was found dead Saturday morning in back of an apartment building in Clearwater, according to local media, many of which misgendered her and used a different spelling of her first name. The reports did not offer other details about her death.
Police have identified a suspect, Arthur Benjamin Jr., also known as Hadeeka Shabazz, and issued a warrant for his arrest on a charge of first-degree murder. He “has an extensive criminal history and was known to the victim,” says a Facebook post from the Clearwater Police Department. The department asks for anyone who knows his whereabouts to call (727) 562-4242.
Black Transgender Woman Murdered In Florida, Suspect Remains At Large
On 5/5/21 at 8:24 AM EDT
Officers responded to Palmetto Park Apartments on West Avenue shortly after 8 a.m. on Saturday.
The body of 49-year-old Kerry Washington was found behind one of the apartment buildings, a spokesperson for the Clearwater Police Department told
Newsweek.
In tributes on social media, family and friends spelled Washington s name as Keri, who was also known as Bobo.
In a news release posted on Facebook on Monday, the police department said 59-year-old Arthur Benjamin Jr. is wanted for first-degree murder in Washington s slaying.
The department issued an appeal on Facebook for help locating Benjamin, who they said is also known as Hadeeka Shabazz.
CLEARWATER â Homicide detectives announced Monday afternoon that a first-degree warrant had been issued for a suspect wanted in connection with a body found May 1 behind a Clearwater apartment building.
Clearwater police responded to a call about 8 a.m. Saturday from the Palmetto Park Apartments, 1001 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. Police say the body, identified as Kerry Washington, 48, was found behind building 7.
The arrest warrant is for Arthur Benjamin Jr., 49. He is described as being just over 6 feet tall weighing about 190 pounds. Detectives say he wears glasses, is balding and wears a white chinstrap beard. They say he has an extensive criminal history and was known to the victim.