A Florida construction worker is accused of stabbing his boss to death Monday in an apparent argument about politics and then throwing an American flag on the victim's body, according to police.
Police arrested Mason Trever Toney, 28, after finding William Steven Knight, 28, mortally wounded at a job site on the Florida Turnpike near Orlando, where both men worked.
Knight was pronounced dead at the scene, his body found next to an excavator with a brand-new American flag thrown on him, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Toney is being held at the Orange County Jail without bond, police said.
He has been charged with first-degree murder, according to news reports.
Police say the incident occurred about 10:30 a.m. Monday.
According to an arrest affidavit, Toney was “anti-government and very outspoken about his beliefs that the government is bad and out to get him,” while Knight was a “proud and outspoken" supporter of President Donald Trump.
Credit: Twitter photo
Credit: Twitter photo
Co-workers told detectives the men were friends outside of work, and that Knight actually picked up Toney that day for work. That’s where they say the argument began.
According to reports, witnesses said they saw Toney standing over Knight and attempted to stop the attack after hearing Knight call for help.
A trowel handtool that is used to smooth and shape concrete was used in the attack, police said.
Some news outlets reported the American flag had been draped over the body when police and emergency officials arrived. Other reports said the flag was placed on the victim’s side or next to the victim along with the packaging it came in.
Police said Toney fled the scene in a stolen white Dodge Ram pickup but crashed the truck as police caught up to him in nearby Brevard County several hours later.
Authorities said they were forced to shut down the highway as they pursued the suspect, causing major delays.
