‘I killed the motherf—er’: Man strangled boss with tank top

A Florida man has been arrested after police say he killed his employer and attempted to dispose of the body.

Richard Dustin Barker, 42, is charged with second-degree murder and with altering, destroying, or concealing physical evidence in connection with the death of 56-year-old Jeffrey Hubbard, according to court records.

Officers with the Venice Police Department responded around 6 a.m. to a home on the 200 block of Grove Street South after receiving a report that two men were fighting outside the property. The caller told police that after the confrontation, one of the men drove away in a red pickup truck, later returning with a trailer and dragging the other man’s body.

When officers arrived, they discovered Hubbard lying behind the trailer. He was unresponsive and had a white tank top wrapped around his neck that was stained with blood, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Police said Barker immediately stopped when they approached, got out of the vehicle, placed his hands on his head, and declared, “I killed the motherf—er.” The statement was recorded on an officer’s body camera.

Emergency responders attempted lifesaving efforts, but Hubbard was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities later confirmed that Barker worked for Hubbard at the location where the incident occurred. The affidavit states that Barker performed engine repair work for RPM Mower Repair on Grove Street, a business run by Hubbard.

Investigators say Barker waived his Miranda rights during questioning and confessed that he went to the location intending to kill Hubbard, whom he identified as his boss. He told detectives he was familiar with Hubbard’s morning routine and waited for him to leave the building early that day to get coffee.

According to police, Barker said he wrapped his white tank top around his wrist so it could be used as a ligature and wore a motorcycle helmet to shield his face and head during the attack. When Hubbard exited the building, Barker confronted him and tried to strangle him with the shirt.

He told detectives the attempt with the tank top did not work as planned, and Hubbard began fighting back. During the struggle, the victim lifted the helmet visor and scratched Barker’s face. Barker then said he grabbed Hubbard by the neck and throat and continued choking him. The two men eventually fell to the ground while still struggling, and Barker claimed he wrapped his arm around Hubbard’s neck and strangled him until he died.

Police say Barker told them he left the tank top around Hubbard’s neck after the killing so emergency personnel would not be able to revive him.

Investigators also say Barker removed items from Hubbard’s pockets, including keys and a folding knife, and tried to clean the scene by spraying blood off the sidewalk with a hose. When he was unable to lift the body into his truck, he reportedly drove to a nearby gas station to get a trailer before returning.

Witnesses told officers they saw Barker come back with the trailer and begin pulling Hubbard’s body toward his truck. Police arrived shortly afterward and arrested him.

According to detectives, Barker said he planned to drive the body to Port Charlotte and bury it in a remote area.

Barker is currently being held without bond in the Sarasota County Jail. Court records show he is scheduled to appear before a judge on Friday.

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