Former Florida State mascot killed by kitchen co-worker after row over gumbo spices escalated into fatal stabbing

  • Caleb Joshua Halley, 33, was slashed by colleague Orlando Thompson, 26
  • They had been arguing about how much spice to put into the gumbo mix while working at Buddy's Seafood Market in Panama City, Florida
  • Halley pulled a small knife first and Thompson returned with 15-inch blade
  • Thompson has been arrested and is being held for manslaughter
  • Halley was Florida State University football team's famous mascot Chief Osceola from 2004 to 2007

By James Dunn For Mailonline

Published: 08:27 EST, 30 June 2015 | Updated: 14:21 EST, 30 June 2015

A former Florida State football mascot was allegedly killed by a co-worker after a row over how much spice to add to the gumbo mix escalated into a knife attack.

Panama City Police say 33-year-old Caleb Joshua Halley, who was known as Josh, was working at Buddy's Seafood Market in Panama City, Florida, last Tuesday when he and a co-worker, Orlando Thompson, started arguing.

Police say that Thompson grabbed a wooden board and Halley pulled out a pocket knife during the dispute over how much spice to put in the trademark spicy southern seafood recipe.

Caleb Joshua Halley is pictured here as Florida State's Indian mascot, Chief Osceola, during play against Rice on September 23, 2006, at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida

Caleb Joshua Halley is pictured here as Florida State's Indian mascot, Chief Osceola, during play against Rice on September 23, 2006, at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida

Caleb Joshua Halley died after Thompson allegedly used a 15-inch blade to slash him across the torso, causing three lacerations
Orlando Thompson has been arrested for manslaughter

Co-workers: Caleb Joshua Halley, pictured left, and Orlando Thompson, pictured right wearing his work T-shirt, came to blows after they argued how much spice to put into the gumbo mix

Thompson then allegedly returned with a 15-inch blade and slashed Halley across the torso, causing three lacerations. 

The incident happened last Tuesday night and Halley died last Thursday. Thompson is being charged with manslaughter and being held on a $75,000 bond.

Halley was Florida State University football team's famous mascot Chief Osceola from 2004 to 2007 when he was studying there. 

Caleb Joshua Halley as Florida State mascot Chief Osceola rides Renegade prior to the start of the Seminoles 41-22 win over Clemson on September 11, 2004, at Florida State University, in Tallahassee, Florida

Caleb Joshua Halley as Florida State mascot Chief Osceola rides Renegade prior to the start of the Seminoles 41-22 win over Clemson on September 11, 2004, at Florida State University, in Tallahassee, Florida

His family said he took great pride in jumping on the horse, dressed as the famous Indian, and riding around the football field to help get the crowd going before the game. 

They paid tribute to Caleb, known as Josh, who also coached a youth football team, and was the first president of Washington County SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) group, reports the Chipley Paper. 

Stepmother Stephanie Halley said: 'Everywhere he went he made friendships around him.

'People just held him in high regard, and he had the most charming, prettiest smile.'

Caleb Joshua Halley died on Thursday after being stabbed by a co-worker last Tuesday
Pictured here as mascot Chief Osceola

Caleb Joshua Halley, pictured left, and right, as Florida State mascot Chief Osceola. He died on Thursday after being stabbed by a co-worker last Tuesday 

She went on to say: 'He wanted to be Chief Osceola since he was nine years old.

'We’d go to the paddock to watch them put makeup on the chief, and, at 10, he met with the director who said he definitely looked the part.

His father Gene Halley was also quoted by the Chipley Paper as saying: 'Josh just loved the tradition and physicality of the mascot program.

'He loved being in the Osceola program working with horses and training them.'

Scene of the crime: Buddy's Seafood Market in Panama City, Florida, where an argument in the kitchen escalated and became a knife attack that led to the death of Caleb Joshua Halley

Scene of the crime: Buddy's Seafood Market in Panama City, Florida, where an argument in the kitchen escalated and became a knife attack that led to the death of Caleb Joshua Halley

The co-workers were apparently arguing about how much spice to put in the gumbo mix

The co-workers were apparently arguing about how much spice to put in the gumbo mix

Gumbo: The famous spicy southern seafood dish that's loved in many of the southern American states

Gumbo: The famous spicy southern seafood dish that's loved in many of the southern American states

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