Police: Dispute over leftovers escalates to murder

Police say Alvin Welch killed Joshua Heinz with baseball bat

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Police say a dispute between a man hosting a football party on Saturday night and a man cutting himself some BBQ meat to take home escalated, and the guest struck the host with baseball bat, killing him.

The victim, 31-year-old Joshua Heinze, died the next morning at St. Vincent's Medical Center.

According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Alvin Welch, 35, was arrested Wednesday and charged with murder.

The incident happened about 11:45 p.m. at a home on Santa Fe Street North on the Southside. People at the party told police they only knew the man who swung the bat at Heinze' head as "Chico." He fled the house after the attack.

Police said Welch and Heize (pictured below) knew each other, but not well.

Joshua Heinz

"They may have run into each other three to five times. They had mutual friends in common," said JSO Assistant Chief Chris Butler.

Investigators say there was alcohol use at the party, but they don't know if either the victim or assailant was intoxicated.

Neighbors say they are relieved that police have someone in custody.

"I hope justice is served because he was just a great guy," said Toby Murphy, who lives just a few houses away. "Me and my wife, we were pretty tore up. Especially to be so close."

Welch has a criminal history, with arrests for felony battery, aggravated battery upon a pregnant woman and possession of a controlled substance. He is being held without bond in the Duval County jail.