Scott Wade Hyatt, aged 51, was tragically killed on October 19, 2014, in Indialantic, Florida. The incident occurred during a botched robbery at his residence, where he was targeted for his prescription pain pills. The robbery was orchestrated by Joseph Howard Milman, a 25-year-old resident of Indialantic, and a 17-year-old accomplice whose name has not been disclosed due to his age. The plan involved Milman obtaining a firearm from the juvenile and then proceeding to Hyatt's home to carry out the robbery.
On the day of the incident, Milman entered Hyatt's residence and shot both Hyatt and another victim, Robert Mell, who was also present at the scene. Hyatt succumbed to his injuries, while Mell was critically wounded and transported to Holmes Regional Medical Center. The crime scene was quickly secured by Brevard County sheriff's deputies, who responded to a 911 call reporting the shooting. Investigators soon determined that the motive behind the attack was to steal Hyatt's prescription medication.
The investigation revealed that Milman had discussed the robbery plot with the juvenile accomplice prior to the incident. After the shooting, Milman rifled through Hyatt's pockets to retrieve the pills and then returned to the juvenile's home to split the stolen drugs. Both suspects were apprehended by the authorities shortly after the crime. Milman was charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and robbery with a firearm. The juvenile was charged with providing the firearm and participating in the robbery.
The case attracted significant attention due to the violent nature of the crime and the involvement of a minor. The Brevard County Sheriff's Office conducted a thorough investigation, gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses to build a strong case against the suspects. The arrests and subsequent charges brought some measure of justice for the victims and their families, highlighting the ongoing issue of drug-related violence in the community.
