Suspect Charged In Deadly Ft. Lauderdale Bar Fight
FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) – Fort Lauderdale Police have arrested and charged the man believed to be responsible for a bar fight that left a popular South Florida musician dead and four others hurt.
Investigators say 38-year-old Brian Krebs has been charged with one count of first-degree murder and four counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Police say two customers and two employees were injured during the melee, which started about 3:30 a.m. Sunday as 54-year-old Jimmy Pagano wrapped up a final set with his Untamed Band at Fishtales Bar & Grill. Investigators say Krebs got into a dispute with a bartender over his bar tab.
According to witnesses, 54-year old Pagano tried to break up the fight but was stabbed. Two employees of the bar and two other people who struggled to hold Krebs until police arrived were also injured.
Friends describe Pagano as a good friend and a great musician.
"He was just a huge part of the music community in South Florida. He'll be greatly missed so it's just a devastating loss," said Jessie Thompson, a friend.
Jessie Thompson is also a musician and has played numerous times at Fishtales. On Sunday afternoon, she returned to pay her respects.
"He was just such a wonderful man. I live nearby. I didn't get to say goodbye obviously, none of us did. So just being able to leave a little bouquet of flowers made me feel better," Thompson said.
Pagano loved to play the drums and is seen on several videos posted on YouTube playing his heart out at the Fort Lauderdale bar.
His neighbor Gene Perih said, "he was very involved in his work as a drummer. He would hold charity events. He took his work serious and was a very outgoing guy and I'm sad to see this has happened."
Others simply expressed disbelief.
"I'm really surprised. Shocked to hear that you know that's a sad thing," Phil Petress, his former neighbor told CBS4's Tiffani Helberg.
Anyone who was at the bar and saw what happened is asked to call Detective William DeJesus at (954) 828-5366.
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