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Cocoa Man Arrested For Second-Degree Murder After Witnesses Hold Him At Gunpoint Until Police Arrive

By  //  May 26, 2018

Terrance Skinner, 40, arrested for second-degree murder

The suspect has been identified as 40-year-old Terrance Skinner. Skinner faces a second-degree murder charge for the death of 67-year-old Wayne Severance. (BCSO Image)

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA – Cocoa Police say they have arrested a man ‘with a lengthy criminal history’ and charged him with second-degree murder after witnesses held the suspect up at gunpoint on Friday, shortly after he allegedly killed the victim, until police arrived.

The suspect has been identified as 40-year-old Terrance Skinner.

The white male victim has been identified as 67-year-old Wayne Severance.

The incident took place at a homeless camp on Friday north of the Walmart in Cocoa off Clearlake Rd., according to Cocoa Police.

“He (Skinner) was being held at gunpoint by witnesses, one of which ran to the nearby Walmart to flag down a pair of Brevard County Sheriff’s deputies who were in the area,” said Yvonne Martinez of the Cocoa Police Department.

“The investigation has revealed the victim’s identity as 67-year-old Wayne Severance, who was in the tent with permission from the owner and let him stay to prevent people from entering and stealing personal property.”

According to the investigation, police say at around 3:30 p.m. on Friday, the owner of the tent returned with another person.

The two witnesses saw Skinner at the entrance of the tent.

“As the witnesses attempted to find out why Skinner, who was not known to them, was inside the tent, they saw the victim lying on the floor covered in blood,” said Martinez.

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Witnesses told police that Skinner was trying to block them from entering the tent where Severance was murdered.

Police say Severance was found with several deep cuts and it appears that there was a struggle inside the tent.

Skinner’s criminal history dates back to 2011 that includes aggravated assault, battery domestic violence, possession of cocaine and unpaid child support.

Authorities are still investigating the case.

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ABOVE MAP: The incident took place at a homeless camp on Friday north of the Walmart in Cocoa off Clearlake Rd., according to Cocoa Police.

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