What was meant to be a sweet Mother’s Day weekend turned into heartbreak for one Florida family.
A 19-year-old college football player, who had just come home to spend time with his mom, was shot and killed in a tragic altercation in downtown Melbourne, Florida.
A Life Cut Short in a Night Out Gone Wrong
Nathaniel “Nate” Jennings, a talented defensive lineman known for his grit on the field and warmth off of it, was gunned down in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The shooting happened just before 2 a.m., near a popular nightlife area lined with clubs and bars.
Surveillance cameras reportedly caught the deadly encounter, which left the sidewalk near the Neon Rodeo bar stained with blood the next day.
From the Field to the Headlines
Nate had started his college football journey at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul, where he made an immediate impact.
His efforts earned him all-conference honors in his freshman year.
Recently, he had transferred to West Liberty University to continue chasing his dreams in a new chapter of his athletic career.
According to his mother, Autumn Minick, he was home for the weekend to be with family.
Now, instead of celebrating Mother’s Day, she’s mourning the loss of her son.
The Accused: A Former College Athlete
The man accused in the shooting is Stephan Dieujuste, a 24-year-old former basketball player who once played point guard at Eastern Florida State College.
Dieujuste initially told authorities the shooting was an act of self-defense, but that version didn’t hold up.
He has since been charged with manslaughter and booked into the Brevard County Jail Complex.
He was expected to appear in court for a bond hearing on Monday.
As of now, the exact relationship between Nate and Dieujuste—and what triggered the fatal argument—remains unclear.
A Devastated Community Remembers Nate
The loss has rippled through the football community.
Nate’s former coach, Matt Moore, from the University of Northwestern, shared a heartfelt tribute, calling him not just a standout athlete but an extraordinary young man.
“Nate was more than just a football player.
His energy, his smile, his positive spirit — they lifted everyone around him,” Moore said.
“We’re holding his mother Autumn, his brother Isaiah, and their entire family close in our thoughts and prayers.”