Tom Lang, husband of former Samaritan House CEO, has died after a confrontation with a homeless man
Steve Dutton, top left, and Tom Lang. Evans Celestin, inset. (Photo courtesy Miami Dade Corrections.)
DAVID TAFFET | Senior Staff Writer
A homeless man in Miami has been charged with murder in connection with the death of Tom Lang, 71, husband of former Samaritan House CEO Steve Dutton.
Police arrested Evans Celestin, 38, and charged him with battery on a person 65 or older, felony battery and drug possession after Lang was injured in a confrontation between the two men. The charge was elevated to second degree murder several days later after Lang died.
Celestin is being held without bail.
The confrontation happened Wednesday, Sept. 7, as Dutton and Lang were walking on Flagler Street in downtown Miami, a few blocks from their home on Biscayne Boulevard. Dutton told police he had seen Celestin causing disturbances downtown on several occasions, and when he saw him again that day, he took a picture of him to give to police.
Dutton said Celestin saw him take the photo and crossed the street to confront him and Lang. He said Celestin walked around him and pushed Lang down.
Evans Celestin
Lang hit his head on the pavement when he fell and began to bleed from his ears. Paramedics transported Lang to a local hospital where he died of his injuries three days later on Saturday, Sept. 10.
Memorial services for Lang will be held at Marty Leonard Chapel on the Lena Pope campus, 3131 Sanguinet St. in Fort Worth at 10 a.m. on Oct. 22.
Celestin has been arrested at least 29 times, according to the Miami Herald, mostly on trespassing and drug charges. Dutton said he’d seen Celestin hassling residents and store patrons along Flagler Street, where new stores and restaurants have been opening in recent years.
Samaritan House in Fort Worth was founded in 1991 as housing for people living with HIV/AIDS. Dutton headed the organization for 20 years and retired in 2012. He and Lang then moved to Miami.
UPDATE:
A service in Miami will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Oct. 1 at Vizcayne Condominiums, 244 Biscayne Blvd., Miami in the 8th floor clubhouse. Entry access through the main lobby.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition September 16, 2016.