A routine meeting in a well-lit Florida bank parking lot turned into a life-altering confrontation when two teenagers attempted an armed carjacking—only to face devastating consequences.
On a humid Tuesday evening in Clearwater, Florida, Louise Ornduff and her son Kalaeb arrived at a Bank of America parking lot expecting to meet prospective buyers for their Nissan Rogue, which they had listed online. Like many private vehicle sales arranged through social media marketplaces, the meeting was set in a public location chosen specifically for safety.
But the individuals waiting for them had no intention of buying a car.
Planned Meet Turns Violent
The supposed buyers were later identified as 18-year-old Lasupta Singletary and 17-year-old Jernalen Dreshaw Coleman. Despite their young ages, investigators say both had prior criminal records.
As casual conversation began, the situation escalated instantly. The teens allegedly pulled out firearms and demanded the vehicle keys, transforming what was meant to be a routine transaction into an armed robbery. Facing an immediate threat, Kalaeb handed over the keys, and the suspects took off in the vehicle.
A Mother Refuses to Be a Victim
What the suspects did not anticipate was that Louise Ornduff was legally armed.
As the stolen SUV began to pull away, Ornduff fired a single shot in an effort to protect her son. The bullet struck Singletary. Coleman immediately drove to a nearby hospital, but despite emergency treatment, Singletary was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Police Investigation and Legal Scrutiny
The incident triggered an intensive investigation by the Clearwater Police Department, focusing on Florida’s self-defense and Stand Your Ground laws. Authorities reviewed surveillance footage, ballistic evidence, and witness statements to determine whether the use of force met the legal standard of preventing imminent harm.
Legal experts noted the case would hinge on whether the threat was still considered immediate at the moment the shot was fired, a critical factor under Florida law. Surveillance video from the bank parking lot became a key piece of evidence, offering an objective timeline of events.
Charges Filed Against Surviving Suspect
Police arrested Jernalen Coleman, charging him with second-degree felony murder and armed robbery. Under Florida’s felony murder statute, participants in a violent felony can be held criminally responsible for a death that occurs during the commission of that crime—even if they did not fire the fatal shot.
Clearwater Deputy Police Chief Eric Gandy stated that bringing firearms to a supposed car sale demonstrated clear criminal intent.
Public Reaction and Community Debate
News of the incident spread quickly across social media and local news outlets, igniting intense debate. Many residents praised Ornduff for acting to protect her child, calling the incident a stark reminder of the risks involved in private sales and the importance of personal safety.
Others raised concerns about the complexities of self-defense laws and the dangers of gunfire in public spaces, emphasizing how quickly everyday situations can turn deadly.
A Lasting Impact
As legal proceedings continue, the community is left grappling with the lasting consequences of that night. One young man lost his life, another faces decades in prison, and a mother and son carry the emotional weight of a moment they never sought.
The parking lot has returned to normal, but the incident remains a powerful case study in violent crime prevention, self-defense law, and the real-world risks of online marketplace meetups.
What began as a simple car sale became a defining moment—one that continues to shape conversations about public safety, accountability, and the difficult decisions people are forced to make when faced with immediate danger.