DeShaun Stewart, a 20-year-old man from Cocoa, Florida, was fatally shot in the early hours of February 17, 2024. The incident occurred on Ellis Drive in the Lakeview Estates neighborhood. Deputies from the Brevard County Sheriff's Office were called to the area in response to a shooting and found Stewart wounded. He was subsequently taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting are still unclear, and the investigation is ongoing.
According to dispatch recordings from February 17, first responders were initially called to a report of a battery in progress, with the reporting person advising that someone had been shot. However, details about what led to the shooting remain vague, with various accounts from witnesses and no clear information from the sheriff’s office on the specific circumstances.
Stewart's family has expressed their pain and frustration over the lack of information and the silence from potential witnesses. His cousin, Chiquita Holmes-Conner, noted that "everybody's telling different stories, right now," and emphasized that the family is seeking justice. Stewart's mother, Shanova Stewart, has also spoken about her hurt and anger, urging the person responsible to come forward. The family described DeShaun as a loving person with a bright smile, who had no criminal records and was a football player at Merritt Island and Palm Bay high schools.
As of the current date, no arrests have been made in connection with Stewart's death. The Brevard County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the incident, working to determine the circumstances and identify any potential suspects. The family remains committed to seeking justice and has vowed to stick together through prayer and support.
