TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. — Clearwater transient Tracy Briley is accused of killing a man by punching and stomping on his head in front of a McDonald’s location in Treasure Island, according to police.
- Incident occurred on July 12
- Victim Christopher Lawrence, 40, died on August 6
- Briley previously arrested 53 times since 2009
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The deadly encounter happened on July 12 at 10:20 a.m. on a sidewalk in front of the McDonald’s located at 10700 Gulf Boulevard in Treasure Island.
Briley, 53, was immediately arrested and charged with aggravated battery. The charge was upgraded to second degree murder on Tuesday when the victim, Christopher Lawrence, 40, died at the hospital.
Police said the men got into a verbal argument before Briley punched Lawrence twice in the face, causing him to fall and hit his head on the concrete. Briley walked away momentarily, then returned to the motionless victim and stomped on his head three times, according to the arrest report.
Police said Lawrence suffered a traumatic brain injury and was on life support until he died at 4:07 p.m. on Tuesday. According to a report, Lawrence was a Treasure Island transient.
According to Pinellas jail records, Briley has been arrested 54 times since 2009. Witnesses told police that Briley was the primary aggressor and he’s being held in jail without a bond.
Left: Tracy Briley, 53, now faces 2nd-degree murder charges. Right: Christopher Lawrence, 40, was a Treasure Island transient, according to a report. (Courtesy of Pinellas County Sheriff's Office)