On Sunday, November 16, a devastating shooting in Port St. John ended the life of 28-year-old Lendzi Lakeman. According to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, first responders found her around 12:15 p.m. in the 7000 block of Carlow Avenue with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving efforts, she was pronounced dead on the scene.
Investigators quickly zeroed in on Tyjah Bellinger, her 23-year-old boyfriend, as the prime suspect. After obtaining an arrest warrant charging him with first‑degree premeditated murder, deputies located Bellinger at a residence on Dallas Avenue and took him into custody without any further incident.
Sheriff Wayne Ivey expressed his gratitude for the swift action by his patrol deputies, calling their prompt response “critical” to bringing the situation under control. In his statement, he also extended his heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Lakeman’s family during this incredibly difficult time.
Right now, homicide detectives and crime‑scene personnel are still on site, interviewing potential witnesses and collecting evidence to piece together exactly what happened. However, as of now, authorities have not publicly disclosed a clear motive for the shooting, nor have they confirmed whether the firearm used was recovered.
Bellinger is being held at the Brevard County Jail on a no-bond status, according to the sheriff’s office. The investigation is being handled by the BCSO Homicide Unit, which responded immediately after the arrest.
This marks a grim milestone: Lakeman’s death is now the 20th homicide in Brevard County so far this year, a statistic Sheriff Ivey says his office does not take lightly.
If anyone has information that could help investigators, they’re urged to contact Agent Kevin Morris of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit at (321) 633‑8413.
