In a deeply tragic incident that has shaken the Melbourne, Florida community, 20-year-old Stephan Dieujuste has been arrested and formally charged with manslaughter in connection to the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Nathaniel Bernard Jennings of Palm Bay. The shooting occurred in the early morning hours of Sunday, May 11, 2025, near the intersection of Vernon Place and East New Haven Avenue, a central area in downtown Melbourne known for its nightlife and weekend foot traffic.

According to a statement released by the Melbourne Police Department, officers responded to multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire shortly after 2 a.m. Upon arrival, they found Jennings suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Emergency responders administered first aid at the scene before transporting him to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Initial investigations led detectives to identify Stephan Dieujuste as a person of interest. Following the collection of surveillance footage, witness statements, and physical evidence, police determined there was sufficient probable cause to take Dieujuste into custody. He was arrested later that same day without incident.

Authorities have not released the full details surrounding the events that led to the shooting, but sources close to the investigation suggest that an altercation may have preceded the incident. It remains unclear whether the two men knew each other prior to the confrontation. Police have confirmed, however, that no other suspects are being sought at this time.

Dieujuste has been booked into the Brevard County Jail and is currently being held without bond as he awaits his first court appearance. The charge of manslaughter in Florida is a serious second-degree felony, carrying a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison, along with significant fines and probation. Prosecutors have not ruled out the possibility of filing additional charges as the investigation progresses.

The death of Nathaniel Jennings has sent waves of grief through the Palm Bay and greater Melbourne communities. Family and friends have described Jennings as a kind-hearted and ambitious young man with a promising future. Social media has since been flooded with messages of condolence and remembrance, as well as calls for justice and peace.

In a statement shared by the Jennings family, they expressed their heartbreak and called for privacy as they navigate this unimaginable loss. “Nathaniel was full of life, with a smile that could brighten any room. We are devastated by his senseless and untimely death and hope that justice will be served,” the family said.

Community leaders and activists have also begun organizing a candlelight vigil to honor Jennings’s life and call for unity against gun violence. Local officials have echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of addressing the root causes of violent crime and working together to create safer public spaces.

The Melbourne Police Department has urged anyone with additional information related to the incident to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation. They continue to piece together the sequence of events that led to the fatal shooting, as the city mourns the loss of another young life to gun violence.

As the legal process unfolds, all eyes remain on the court proceedings involving Stephan Dieujuste. The tragedy has reignited discussions in the community about youth violence, public safety, and the impact of firearms in confrontational situations.

This incident stands as a stark reminder of how quickly lives can be altered or lost due to impulsive acts of violence. For the Jennings family and the community at large, justice and healing will now be the long road ahead.