Tragic details emerge as college football star allegedly shot dead during Mother’s Day weekend

A rising college football star, Nathaniel Bernard Jennings, 19, was allegedly shot and killed by a former student-athlete while visiting his hometown in Florida for Mother’s Day weekend.The incident occurred in downtown Melbourne, Florida, after police said Jennings got into an argument with Stephan Dieujuste, 24, near Neon Rodeo bar around 1:50 a.m. Saturday. According to Florida Today, the police quickly responded to the scene and found Jennings unresponsive.Jennings, a freshman defensive lineman at the University of Northwestern in St. Paul, Minnesota, was rushed to a local hospital, where he was declared dead.Melbourne Police questioned Dieujuste, a former point guard for Eastern Florida State College, at the scene. Dieujuste claimed the shooting was in self-defense. However, police have yet to confirm the exact details of what led to the argument.The tragic incident was captured by newly installed downtown surveillance cameras, city officials confirmed to Florida Today. Police are still investigating what sparked the argument between the two men. It's unclear if Jennings and Dieujuste knew each other prior to the altercation, as they graduated from different high schools—Jennings from Heritage High School and Dieujuste from Bayside High School in Palm Bay, Florida, located about 74 miles from Orlando.“It is an active investigation,” Lt. Bradley Blount of the Melbourne Police Department said, adding that the police are working to determine the cause of the disagreement.Jennings had recently completed a standout freshman season at the University of Northwestern. He earned all-conference honors and was praised for his talent both on and off the football field.“Nate was a treasured member of our football team, being honored with all-conference accolades following his first year of collegiate competition,” said Matt Moore, the head football coach at the University of Northwestern, according to WESH 2.“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.”Jennings finished his freshman season with impressive statistics, including 55 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery.The tragic shooting has shaken the local community in Melbourne. Randy Bennett, a bar owner in downtown Melbourne, expressed his shock, noting that the area was known for being a safe and peaceful place.“Downtown is beautiful, it’s safe, people aren’t getting their stuff stolen,” Bennett told WESH 2. “This was an isolated incident by a couple of people who decided to take it into their own hands instead of buying each other a beer.”Local resident Linda Bouley shared her dismay over the shooting, questioning why a 19-year-old had to lose his life in such a manner. “I’m glad they found the [suspect]. It doesn’t really give me relief because it’s like why did this happen? Why is a 19-year-old getting shot? Why does somebody have a gun out here where this is supposed to be an area that you just come to enjoy yourself?”Dieujuste was arrested and charged with manslaughter following the shooting. He made his first court appearance on Monday, where he was ordered held without bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 5.At the scene of the shooting, Dieujuste claimed that he acted in self-defense, but this explanation is still under investigation. Authorities have also confirmed that a blood spatter was found on a wall in front of the bar, which has further added to the complexity of the investigation.In the wake of her son’s death, Jennings’ mother, Autumn, shared a heartbreaking tribute to her son on social media. She posted a montage of family photos, including throwback pictures of her with Nathaniel, some showing him in his football gear. Other images depicted him looking dapper in a tuxedo and on vacation with the family.Autumn, clearly devastated by the loss, posted: “It’s hard to accept that my son will no longer be with us, but I am grateful for the memories, and I will carry him with me forever.”Jennings’ death is the first reported homicide in Melbourne this year, according to the city’s crime statistics. It is also the second homicide in the downtown area in the past two years.The news of the shooting has left the community reeling, with many in the area expressing their disbelief that such an incident could happen in what is typically considered a safe and peaceful part of town.Jennings’ Legacy as an Athlete and PersonJennings was remembered not just for his athletic skills but for his character. A spokesman for the University of Northwestern described him as a “treasured member of our football team,” emphasizing his positive energy and the impact he had on those around him.As for his football career, Jennings had already shown great promise in his first year of college. In addition to his 55 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery, his coaches and teammates praised his leadership and infectious enthusiasm.As of now, the investigation into the shooting is ongoing. Police have not revealed what led to the argument between Jennings and Dieujuste or whether there were any prior incidents that contributed to the altercation. The fact that the shooting occurred in a downtown area known for its peaceful atmosphere has left many in shock.Melbourne Police are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward.