On May 22, 2024, 43-year-old Phillip Leander Bellamy was found shot to death inside a blue pickup truck on Webster Street in the Lackawanna neighborhood of Jacksonville, Florida. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office reported that around 12:40 p.m., officers discovered Bellamy with a gunshot wound; he was pronounced dead at the scene by the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department.
Witnesses indicated that one or two suspects, dressed in dark clothing, approached the vehicle, fired multiple shots, and then fled in an unknown direction. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities seeking information from the public to identify the perpetrators.
Born on May 28, 1980, in Jacksonville, Bellamy was the son of the late Phillip Leander Demery and Gloria Jean Bellamy. He attended Robert E. Lee Senior High School and later earned his certification in cosmetology, becoming a licensed barber. His passion for hairstyling and entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish a successful career in the cosmetology industry. Beyond his professional achievements, Bellamy was a cherished community leader and served as a football coach for the Stingrays, positively impacting many lives.
Bellamy is survived by his children: La’Tahja Leandria Bellamy, Zebreke Antonio Bellamy, Leandrea Latrice Bellamy, Daytia Bellamy, and Pherrari Bellamy; his grandson, Khayir Lamont Jackson; his brothers, James Demery and Kennard Demery; his sister, JaNee Demery; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandmothers, Emma Murphy and Mary Bellamy. His life was a testament to his dedication to family and community, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
