Felix Cabrera, 86, is charged with first-degree murder with a firearm in the June 4, shooting death of William Combass, 67, at the Sugar Cane Cooperative in Belle Glade, Florida
An 86-year-old sugar mill worker with 31 years on the job fatally shot his boss after he was refused another year working at the mill.
Felix Cabrera is now in jail without bail on a first-degree murder charge following the shooting last month at the Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative in Belle Glade, Florida near West Palm Beach.
Cabrera's boss, 67-year-old Billy Combass, from nearby Martin County was shot several times.
Authorities say Cabrera sought to work one additional year for financial reasons but was turned down.
That's when he allegedly pulled out a handgun and shot his boss.
The pair had worked together for decades and efforts are now underway to try to understand what led to Cabrera, said to be an 'easygoing, likable janitor', to shoot Combass, who was 'a respected manager and devoted family man.'
Cabrera's boss, William Combass, 67, to him clock out and never return to work. Hours later, he was shot dead
Cabrera quickly confessed to the killing while the cooperative put out a statement saying it was 'horrified and deeply saddened by the senseless violence.'
Authorities initially said that it was simply case of a disgruntled employee intentionally killing his boss, but Cabrera's lawyers from the Palm Beach County Public Defender's Office say things are not so clear cut and have suggested that a claim of self-defense may even be used.
In an obituary William Vance 'Billy' Combass is said to have 'had the utmost respect for life.'
The married father of three worked at the cooperative for more than 47 years - almost his entire adult life, but he always said his 'greatest accomplishment of all was his family.'
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help pay for his youngest child, Ivette's, education
The fundraiser is also support his son, Will, who is a college senior majoring in criminology with plans to earn a master's degree
Police say the shooting at the sugar mill appears to have been a planned event and charged Cabrera with premeditated first-degree murder
'He loved to fix all things; cars, tractors, household knick-knacks. He raised his family in the house he built and has left his fingerprint on everything he created,' the tribute read.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help pay for his youngest child, Ivette's, education and also support his son, Will, who is a college senior
