John Jefferson
Inset: Piero Estefano But-Castillo (Osceola County Sheriff’s Office). Background: Kissimmee Quality Inn where But-Castillo allegedly murdered a man with a fire extinguisher (Google Maps).
Florida authorities arrested a man after he allegedly beat a fellow hotel guest to death with a fire extinguisher during a rampage after the suspect was kicked out by staff.
The incident unfolded last Wednesday at the Quality Inn in Kissimmee, not far from Disney World. According to a probable cause arrest affidavit, deputies from the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office received a call about an armed disturbance at the hotel at 2945 Entry Point Boulevard. When they arrived, they found the suspect, Piero Estefano But-Castillo, with his “hands covered in blood.” But-Castillo, from Chile, turned 25 on Thursday, per deputies. The victim, 55-year-old Robert Krusinowski, was found unresponsive with “significant trauma to his head, face and neck,” cops wrote. Paramedics tried to safe his life but their efforts were futile. They pronounced him dead on scene.
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Detectives learned that But-Castillo had been residing at the long-term stay hotel but was forced to check out on Wednesday and “not allowed to extend his stay any further,” the affidavit stated. This apparently upset But-Castillo as he began destroying hotel property on the third-floor, including smashing windows in occupied rooms.
Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez said in a video statement posted to Facebook Krusinowski was just trying to deescalate the situation when he was attacked.
“It was a brutal beating with the fire extinguisher,” he said.
Investigators say video from witnesses and surveillance cameras showed the suspect slammed the victim to the ground. But-Castillo allegedly struck Krusinowski with the fire extinguisher. Videos also showed the defendant punching and stomping the victim’s head as he “appeared motionless and lifeless.” But-Castillo also dragged the victim though the breezeway before continuing his alleged barrage of kicks and punches.
Cops arrived on scene as the attack was ongoing and arrested But-Castillo on a first-degree murder charge. He’s at the Osceola County Jail without bond. The affidavit stated Krusinowski was a long-time resident of the hotel who frequently helped with maintenance issues.
Lopez said But-Castillo came to the U.S. on Jan. 1 on a 90-day tourist visa. He previously had been in the country in 2019 as a student before leaving.
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