Clearwater Police detectives made an arrest as a result of their homicide investigation on Clearwater Beach. An adult male was found dead in front of 719 Mandalay Avenue just after 12:30 a.m. on Friday, October 21, 2022. The victim has been identified as 49 year-old Jeffrey Chapman of Clearwater Beach.
Police received a 911 call about a person on the ground. There was also some mention during a press conference of a struggle and evidence of an act of violence.
Police located Chapman deceased next to a undamaged bicycle along the sidewalk. This was described as a crime of violence and not as a result of a hit and run crash. The injuries were initially only described as blunt force trauma to his upper body.
On Saturday, October 22, 2022, Deputy Chief Michael Walek of the Clearwater Police Department announced the arrest of 26 year-old Jermaine Adrian Bennett of Tampa. He was arrested at his workplace in Wesley Chapel, Florida. Detectives were able to identify his vehicle, a 2014 Nissan Altima, used in the crime.
Bennett is currently in the Pasco County Jail on charges of First Degree Murder. This is being called a completely random act where the victim was beaten over 10 times with a tire iron in what was described as very heinous and vicious. Bennett admitted randomly attacking the victim and according to police, showed no remorse for the murder. He blamed the “ills of society” for the crime.
A second male suspect is still being sought and police feel this subject will be brought to justice. At this time, police are not releasing the charges that person will face. Anyone with information on the second subject is asked to call the Clearwater Police at 727-562-4242.
Approximately one hour prior to this incident there was a very similar incident that occurred in St. Petersburg. That case, which did not resulted in a death, is possibly related to the same two individuals and under investigation. It reportedly occurred in the area west of I-275 off 22nd Avenue N.
