Man Arrested in the Murder of Off-Duty Palm Beach Corrections Deputy

Authorities have arrested a suspect in connection with the fatal shooting of Deputy Basil Powell, an off-duty Palm Beach corrections deputy who was killed outside his home earlier this week.

The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Kevin Bennette, was taken into custody on Thursday, reportedly while wearing Powell’s handcuffs, according to Palm Beach Sheriff Ric Bradshaw.

Powell, 39, had served with the department for three years and was “targeted and ambushed” as he returned home on Monday evening, officials said. Investigators believe the motive behind the killing was jealousy, as Powell had been in a relationship with Bennette’s ex-girlfriend.

“I think he was extremely agitated and upset over that, which is why he decided to kill our deputy,” Sheriff Bradshaw stated in a press conference. “People make bad choices in life, but that does not give anyone the right to take another person’s life over a failed relationship.”

Authorities are now working to connect DNA and forensic evidence from the crime scene to Bennette as part of their ongoing investigation.