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Tampa police say 41-year-old man shot and killed by ex-boss, investigation ongoing

 
Published May 24, 2017

TAMPA — A 41-year-old man was shot and killed by his former boss Wednesday morning outside the West Tampa auto body shop where they once worked together, according to Tampa police.

Benjamin Rodriguez Barral, 41, died from his injuries about 10:20 a.m. in the parking lot of AA Auto Body at 1904 W Columbus Drive, police said.

Earlier that morning, police said Barral got in a heated argument with the store's owner, Alex Alfonso, 34. The argument turned into a physical altercation between the two men in the parking lot, police said, which is when Alfonso pulled out a firearm and fatally shot his former employee.

After the shooting, police said Alfonso drove away from the shop in a red Corvette. He returned a short time later in a different vehicle. Alfonso is cooperating with detectives investigating the incident, police said. No arrest was made Wednesday.

The Tampa Police Department said it is working with the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office to determine if charges should be filed in this case.