BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – A new shooting is reminding some of previous violence in downtown Melbourne that resulted in some choosing to stay away from businesses, and the city adding its own cameras.
A man was killed on the dance floor of a bar in 2022, and the following year, more people were seen on business surveillance running away as fast as they could after gunshots in the street.
This time, police said Nathanial Jennings of Palm Bay died Sunday during a confrontation with Stephan Dieujuste, who’s now behind bars.
Commander Shawn Eising said officers who were working downtown as they usually do late night on weekends were on scene within seconds.
“I think downtown is as safe as any city of similar size,” Eising said. “I believe that any time you have a congregation of people that have disagreements in today’s society, there’s a potential in any neighborhood or any community for violence to take place.”
Police are recommending a manslaughter charge against Dieujuste — not murder — but Eising said that might not be the final decision from prosecutors.
“We continue to investigate things, and as we learn more and as we can develop evidence to support a higher charge, those things can be changed,” he said.
Monday at the county jail, Judge Kelly Ingram granted Dieujuste a $100,000 bond after initially stating she would keep bond at none.
Dieujuste’s attorney made an argument that changed her mind.
“This is not something that, constitutionally, he can be held on no bond for,” Scott Robinson said.
Under the conditions of his bond, Dieujuste is not allowed to have any contact with witnesses of the shooting or have any guns or weapons.