UPDATE: Melbourne Police Arrests Two Suspects for Downtown Melbourne Shooting Back in May
By Space Coast Daily // July 3, 2023
MPD: Nathaniel Spates Jr. perpetrated the shooting of two victims
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Melbourne Police have issued an update to the shooting that happened on the 800 block of East New Haven Avenue on May 6 that gravely injured two men.
The downtown nightclubs were open and there were many people in the area at the time of the shooting, said a police spokesperson.
Following extensive investigation, MPD detectives determined that 36-year-old male Nathaniel Spates Jr. from Palm Bay perpetrated the shooting of two victims, gravely injuring them, and also fired his gun in the direction of a third victim nearly striking them after a verbal dispute on the morning of May 6, according to a Melbourne Police spokesperson.
As Spates was fleeing the scene, he was also struck by return gunfire and gravely wounded by another involved individual. Spates is a four-
time convicted felon having been convicted of numerous felony crimes, and he is prohibited from carrying a firearm.
The investigation also determined that in addition to Spates being the primary shooting suspect in this case, 27-year-old Deonte Markese Jones was found to be carrying a handgun following the exchange of gunfire.
Jones is a 17-time convicted felon having been convicted of numerous felony crimes, and he is prohibited from carrying a firearm.
Detectives subsequently developed probable cause to charge both suspects and arrest warrants were issued for the two men.
With assistance from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office GAMEOVER Task Force, Nathaniel Spates Jr. and Deonte Markese Jones were both apprehended without incident, on June 20 and June 29, respectively.
Four firearms were recovered in the course of this investigation.
Additional investigation into the incident continues, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Melbourne Police Department at the telephone numbers provided above.
Melbourne Police are asking anyone with information to call the Melbourne Police Department at (321) 608-6731 to speak with a detective or call the Central Florida Crime Line at 800-423-TIPS (8477).
Related Story:Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Arrest Suspect For Possession of Cocaine, Possessing Multiple Firearms During Felony
CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS
