Jul 15, 2026
A Tampa man received 40 years in prison on Tuesday for lighting a man on fire at a gas station after an argument in 2023, prosecutors said.Earl Hargrove, 37, pleaded guilty in court on to second-degree murder in the death of Pau l Gerbasi.On May 28, 2023, Hargove was at the Mobile gas station, 14516 22ndSt. North, Tampa, when he got into an argument with Gerbasi.Afterward, Hargrove went into the gas station store and purchased 50 cents of gasoline, the Hillsborough County State Attorneys Office said.He then left and pumped 50 cents worth of fuel into a gas can.According to video surveillance, Hargrove, walked over to Gerbasi who was sitting on the south side of the station and poured the gas on him. He then used a lighter to set the victim on fire. When Hargrove was arrested, he had a lighter in his possession, authorities said.Gerbasi, 66, suffered severe burns and died two weeks later.During questioning with a Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office detective after the crime, Hargrove said, he looks like a monster and he lit someone on fire, an arrest affidavit stated.Hargrove was sentenced to 40 years in prison followed by 10 years of probation.The victim's family was in court as Hargrove accepted responsibility for his actions, prosecutors said.Chief of Major Crimes John Terry prosecuted the case. ...read more read less
Respond, make new discussions, see other discussions and customize your news...

To add this website to your home screen:

1. Tap tutorialsPoint

2. Select 'Add to Home screen' or 'Install app'.

3. Follow the on-scrren instructions.

Feedback
FAQ
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service