TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Two men have been arrested in connection with a homicide in Leon County.
The Leon County Sheriff’s Office, with the help of the U.S. Marshals Service have arrested Patrick M. Berrane 21, and Page B. Briggs 33, for the murder of Hoyt Birge.
Deputies said that on Tuesday evening, Birge and his friend Peter went to a residence on Mission Road owned by Page Briggs.
When they arrived at the residence they were allowed inside and began to speak with two females in the living room. At that point four male suspects, all armed with various firearms, exited a back room.
LCSO has identified two of the males as Briggs and Patrick Berrane.
An fight followed and subsequently Birge and Peter were made to lie on the floor. While on the floor Birge was physically attacked.
Birge reached for a rifle that was held by Berrane and the weapon fired, hitting Birge.
LCSO said that Birge was placed in the trunk of a silver Toyota Camry owned by Peter’s mother. Berrane and another suspect then told Peter to get in the car also. They drove to several locations including to a residence Berrane was possibly living at the time.
After, they took Peter to his home where he was instructed to get money and come back. When Peter went into his residence he was able to notify law enforcement of the situation.
Berrane has been charged with homicide, kidnapping, robbery/carjacking, possession of a weapon during the commission of a felony, and false imprisonment. Briggs has been charged with homicide, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, and commission of a crime while wearing a bulletproof vest.
Investigators have determined this was not a random act and are continuing to follow investigative leads. They are currently looking for other individuals that were involved.
If you have any information regarding this incident please contact the LCSO Violent Crime Unit at 850-606-3400.
