Good Samaritan murdered at Waffle House shortly after paying for other customers' meals

A good Samaritan was shot and killed after he handed out cash and paid for other people's meals at a Florida Waffle House over the weekend.

Ezekiel Luke Hicks, 25, is accused of killing Craig Arttez Brewer early Sunday morning at the Gainesville restaurant, according to the Alachua County Sheriff's Department news release.

The 41-year-old man died after being shot in the head, authorities said.

"There was at least one gunshot to the head but the medical examiner will offer authoritative information on that," Lt. Brett Rhodenizer said, the Gainesville Sun reported.

Police arrested Hicks shortly after the incident. He's been charged with first-degree murder.

What are the details?

At about 3 a.m., Brewer was buying meals and passing out $20 bills to random customers inside the restaurant.

A woman became angry because Brewer had not paid for her meal or given her money, officials said. Her anger prompted Hicks to confront Brewer.

"The victim was engaging folks at the restaurant, and there was a disagreement with a female customer," Rhodenizer said.

Police initially received a call for assistance from employees who wanted help dispersing the large crowd that had gathered.

At some point during the argument, Hicks went outside briefly but returned with a gun. A bystander tried to stop Hicks from going back in the restaurant, police said.

"The evidence in the case is fairly straightforward. We're working with the state attorney. It's pretty obvious. We have on video what happened," Rhodenizer said, the newspaper reported.

The two men got into a physical fight shortly before Hicks pulled the gun from his pants and fired it at Brewer's head, according to the release.

Rhodenizer said the shooting likely occurred just before or as they were arriving.

Investigators recovered a 9 mm Glock handgun not far from the scene.

What else?

Authorities are still working to determine whether or not Hicks and Brewer had a relationship prior to the fatal shooting.

"What we're trying to find out in the days ahead is if this was truly a verbal argument that turned into a murder case or if there is something missing there."

The restaurant has reopened since the incident. Waffle House management declined the newspaper's request for comment.