Officers from the Largo Police Department have arrested 41-year-old Joshua Brinkley of Largo.
Officers were dispatched to 162 3rd Street NW in Largo at approximately 12:47 a.m. on Saturday, November 25, 2023.
The resident, Joshua Brinkley, made concerning statements to acquaintances, one of whom notified police.
When officers arrived, the defendant was seen leaving his residence in his vehicle. Upon sight of officers, Brinkley stopped and exited his vehicle with his hands in the air, stating, “I just killed my brother in my house.” He also told officers that he “murdered him with a shotgun.”
Officers conducted a welfare check of the residence and located the victim deceased with visible gunshot wounds. His wounds were consistent with being shot with buckshot from a shotgun.
The name of the victim is being withheld under Marsy’s Law.
According to the arrest affidavit, Brinkley was sent home early from his job at Hungry Howies. He was reportedly displaying paranoid behaviors and made statements that his co-workers would understand more tomorrow. It was believed he was under the influence of Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) or methamphetamines. DMT is a very strong psychedelic similar to psilocybin/magic mushrooms.
Brinkley was relocated to the Largo Police Department, where he struck a detective with a kick. The detective suffered minor injuries. He also asked a detective if he was going to kill his partner.
Brinkley was transported to the Pinellas County Jail and charged with Murder in the First Degree and Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer.
This is an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public.