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A teen college football star was shot dead in Florida while returning home for Mother’s Day weekend.
According to Florida Today, 19-year-old Nathaniel Bernard Jennings was killed in Downtown Melbourne following an argument.
The suspected shooter, former college basketball player Stephan Dieujuste, has been charged with manslaughter.
Jennings, who went by Nate, previously played as a defensive lineman for the University of Northwestern – St. Paul. His mom, Autumn Minick, revealed that he had recently transferred to West Liberty University to play football, according to WESH.
Meanwhile Dieujuste, 24, was briefly on the basketball team at Eastern Florida State College, where he played as a point guard.
Reports say that Dieujuste first claimed the shooting was an act of self-defense. But he was later charged with manslaughter and taken to the Brevard County Jail Complex.
The 24-year-old was due in court on Monday for a bond hearing. It’s not clear how he and Jennings knew each other or what caused the altercation.
The shooting, which occurred around 1:51am on Sunday morning in an area filled with restaurants and nightclubs, was reportedly caught on nearby surveillance cameras.
According to Florida Today, Jennings was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead. He was shot near the Neon Rodeo bar and blood still stained the sidewalk on Monday.
‘Nate was a treasured member of our football team, being honored with all-conference accolades following his first year of collegiate competition,’ said University of Northwestern football coach Matt Moore.
‘For as talented as Nate was on the football field, he was an even better person off of it. His contagious energy and positivity will be missed.
‘We are praying for Nate’s mother Autumn, brother Isaiah, and other members of his extended family during this difficult time.’
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