Sulliman “Sulli” Bah was a funny, kind, and curious 17-year-old who had a gift for making people feel seen and valued. Born on March 17, 2009, in Columbus, Ohio, he lived in Vero Beach, Florida, with a large, loving family that included his mother, Chelynn Godfrey, his father, Alieu Badara Bah, and seven siblings. Friends and family remembered Sulli for his playful side, his contagious smile, and his love for making people laugh.
He was a defender of the underdog and the kind of person who would check in on a friend who was having a bad day. A hard worker, Sulli was employed as a pizza cook at Farm and Flame restaurant in Vero Beach. He was a fan of Ohio State football, the Cleveland Browns, and loud muscle cars. Just a credit and a half away from graduating high school, which he was finishing through homeschooling, Sulli had big plans for his future. He often talked about becoming an entrepreneur, traveling, and eventually moving back to Ohio.
On the night of Friday, October 2, 2026, Sulli finished his shift at the restaurant and went to a large gathering of more than 100 teenagers at Garcia's Boat Ramp, a remote area just south of Fellsmere in Indian River County. Around 11:24 p.m., an altercation occurred. According to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, which reviewed video of the incident, Sulliman approached a white pickup truck occupied by two 18-year-olds with whom he had a history of conflict. Investigators stated that Sulli opened the truck's door and began to punch the occupants. The 18-year-old passenger then fired a single shot, striking Sulli in the chest.
His friends drove him from the boat ramp toward Fellsmere, meeting deputies and Emergency Medical Services at Fellsmere City Hall. First responders performed CPR before Sulli was taken first to Sebastian River Medical Center and then airlifted to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne. He succumbed to his injuries there at 12:44 a.m. on October 3, 2026.
The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation into the shooting. Sheriff Eric Flowers announced that the two 18-year-olds from the truck, whose names were not released, were cooperating with detectives. They turned over the truck and the firearm used in the shooting. The sheriff stated that the occupants of the truck were claiming self-defense and that the case would be referred to the State Attorney's Office to determine if charges would be filed. No arrests were made in the immediate aftermath.
Sulliman’s family publicly disputed the official narrative and the claim of self-defense. His mother, Chelynn Godfrey, stated her belief that her son was not the aggressor but was trying to protect his friends from the individuals in the truck, who she said had previously threatened Sulli and others. "Sulliman was a defender of his friends," she said. "I believe he was trying to save the crowd from that gun that he knew was about to be used." The family asserted that Sulli was unarmed and that shooting him was not a reasonable use of force. "I believe that my son was murdered, and I believe that the shooter needs to be punished for that," Godfrey said.
In the days that followed, the community gathered to mourn the teenager they remembered as a "kind soul" and a "gentle giant." On Wednesday, October 7, a packed candlelight vigil was held at Farm and Flame, where coworkers, friends, and former teachers shared stories of Sulli's positive impact on their lives. A former teacher remembered him as a "great kid," while a best friend said, "He’s not an aggressive person. I feel he’s been portrayed as such on media. It’s very unfortunate." Funeral services were held on Saturday, October 10, at Pathway Church in Vero Beach. A fundraising page was also created to support his family. As of October 2026, the investigation remained open, with the State Attorney's Office reviewing the case to decide whether the shooting was a criminal act or a case of self-defense.
