Felon arrested for killing a man who wouldn’t pay a prostitute

(As originally published with bells and whistles, Fri, April 22nd 2022, 7:04 PM EDT)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — A man was shot to death “after he failed to pay a prostitute for sexual favors,” according to West Palm Beach police.

The killing happened last Wednesday morning, April 13, a few blocks from the intersection of Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard and Australian Avenue.

Officers found the 39-year-old victim lying on the sidewalk. Fire Rescue pronounced him dead at the scene. His name won’t be released due to Marsy’s Law.

SEE ALSO: Indecent exposure: PBSO looking for potential victims

Police say detectives and crime scene investigators found evidence leading to Ainsley D. Gayle Jr., 25, of West Palm Beach.

A witness told police she had “solicited the victim for sex,” but the victim didn’t pay for her services, so “she drove to Riviera Beach to pick up two men.” Gayle was one, and the other’s name is not being released.

Then, police said the trio drove back and found the victim. Both men got out of the car and confronted him.

Police said the witness told them Gayle, holding a semi-automatic pistol, shot and killed the victim.

The murder was also captured on surveillance video.

Police say Gayle denied any involvement when he spoke to detectives but when he was shown the video, “where he could plainly be seen firing a weapon at (the victim), Gayle simply looked down and had no comment.”

Gayle was arrested early Friday. He’s charged with first-degree premeditated murder with a firearm and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.