Pubdate: Fri, 25 Jun 2004
Source: Bradenton Herald (FL)
Copyright: 2004 Bradenton Herald
Contact:  http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradentonherald/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/58
Author: Aimee Juarez, Herald Staff Writer
Related:  http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04.n900.a08.html

POLICE LINK STOLEN WEAPON TO SUICIDE

They Say The Gun Was Removed From A Sheriff's Bailiff's House Without
Any Sign Of Forced Entry

BRADENTON - Police believe a 26-year-old man shot and killed himself
with a stolen gun that belonged to a sheriff's bailiff.

Police say the nickname "KT" links Bethel Clayton Buzbee III to the
stolen .45-caliber, semi-automatic handgun Bradenton Police officers
found in his hand June 18. Buzbee shot himself in the head to avoid
arrest after authorities say he sold $40 worth of heroin to a police
informant and led officers on a high-speed chase.

According to an incident report dated June 2, Bradenton Police say the
handgun was stolen from a safe inside the home of Tom Post, who is a
bailiff at the Manatee County jail.

"Post stated that since there were no forced entry marks to either his
home or his safe, he believes that it may have been taken by someone
with access to his house," the report states.

Post told officers that he had problems with a man known as "KT," who
kept calling Post's home in the 500 block of 11th Street West to speak
with Post's daughter.

Post, who did not accuse anyone of stealing the handgun in the June 2
police report, declined to comment on the burglary Thursday afternoon.

Manatee County jail spokesman Randy Warren said corrections deputies
are not issued service weapons or firearms.

Mark Falkoski, 20, a passenger in Buzbee's car Friday, told police
that Buzbee was also known as "KT," Bradenton Police spokesman Maj.
J.J. Lewis said. Falkowski said his car had broken down and that
Buzbee had agreed to give him a ride.

A police source informed detectives that Buzbee, who had been arrested
numerous times on drug-related charges, had 20 to 25 bags of heroin in
his car after purchasing the heroin Friday.

At one point, Buzbee began shooting at officers, according to the
reports.

Buzbee was taken to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, where
he died later that day. Police searched a duplex he rented in the 4900
block of 19th Street West and found two guns, multiple syringes and
drug paraphernalia.

Lewis said the case remains under investigation.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin