JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The 41-year-old man the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office reported missing Wednesday, was arrested Wednesday night on murder charges, according to a news release.
On Wednesday, police asked the public for help in finding Nicholas Brett Cuzzort to "ascertain his safety." JSO sent the release to First Coast News Thursday afternoon and did not state whether or not Cuzzort was considered a suspect in the crime at the time he went missing.
Cuzzort is facing murder and attempted murder charges connected to a homicide police responded to Tuesday night, the release states.
JSO told First Coast News that while Cuzzort was considered missing, an investigation into the Tuesday night homicide was happening "simultaneously." The investigation revealed that Cuzzort was deemed a person of interest by investigators.
JSO told First Coast News that at approximately 11:15 p.m. on Tuesday, officers responded to the 13000 block of Macapa Road in Jacksonville in reference to "reports of an altercation with injuries." When officers arrived, the sheriff's office says a man was suffering from severe lacerations, in which he was then taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police say another man, identified as 54-year-old Brian A. Jurec, was found inside of a home. When first responders with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department arrived, Jurec was pronounced dead at the scene.
JSO says detectives as well as the State Attorney Office, responded to the scene to conduct an investigation. Detectives were also canvassing the area for witnesses and surveillance video.
Jose Conteras lives on Macapa Road. He says he heard a lot of noise coming from the home of the alleged "altercation."
"Last night I heard noises, yelling," Conteras told First Coast News on Wednesday. "You couldn't see well because it was dark. But, this morning I left very early and there were people yelling and fighting at the house where the problem occurred. Then a lot of police started to arrive. Then, we did not know what was going on, but what I can say is there was a lot of yelling and it was like there was a fight inside the house," Conteras explained.
Other residents who live in the neighborhood, say they have not had any issues with the house in the past; they say it is a relatively quiet street. Conteras wishes there was more light at night.
"I would like there to be more security in this area," Conteras said. "And they could maybe put up a street light or something because it's very dark at night and cars are always driving by or you see strange things, and it's scary to live in a place like that."
Cuzzort is being held on no bond, Duval County Jail records indicate.