What was meant to be a straightforward vehicle sale in Clearwater, Florida, quickly spiraled into a violent confrontation that ended with one suspect dead and another facing serious criminal charges.
On a Tuesday evening, Louise Ornduff and her son Kalaeb arrived at a Bank of America parking lot to meet individuals who had expressed interest in buying their Nissan Rogue through an online marketplace. Choosing a busy, public location was a deliberate safety precaution—one many sellers rely on when meeting strangers.
However, the meeting was never about purchasing a car.
Fake Buyers, Real Threat
Police later identified the suspects as Lasupta Singletary, 18, and Jernalen Dreshaw Coleman, 17. Investigators say both teens had prior encounters with law enforcement.
Shortly after the Ornduffs arrived, the conversation abruptly shifted. The teens allegedly pulled firearms and demanded the vehicle keys, turning the exchange into an armed carjacking. Fearing for their lives, Kalaeb surrendered the keys, and the suspects drove off in the SUV.
Self-Defense in a Split Second
As the vehicle fled, Louise Ornduff—who was legally armed—made a split-second decision. Believing her son remained in danger, she fired a single shot. The bullet struck Singletary.
Coleman immediately drove to a nearby hospital seeking emergency care, but Singletary was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Police Review and Legal Questions
The Clearwater Police Department launched a comprehensive investigation, examining whether the shooting met Florida’s legal standards for self-defense. Authorities reviewed surveillance footage, vehicle movement, and the timing of events to assess whether the perceived threat was still imminent when the shot was fired.
Under Florida law, the use of deadly force is evaluated based on whether a reasonable person would believe it was necessary to prevent serious bodily harm or death. Surveillance video from the bank parking lot became central to the case, providing crucial context without emotion or interpretation.
Charges Filed Against Surviving Teen
Police arrested Jernalen Coleman, charging him with armed robbery and second-degree felony murder. The felony murder statute allows prosecutors to hold all participants in a violent felony accountable when a death occurs during the crime, regardless of who fired the fatal shot.
Clearwater police officials stated that the suspects’ decision to bring guns to a supposed vehicle sale demonstrated clear criminal intent.
Public Safety Debate Ignites
The incident quickly drew widespread attention across Florida and beyond, fueling online discussions about crime prevention, gun laws, and personal safety. Many people expressed sympathy for Ornduff, emphasizing that she was attempting to protect her child during a life-threatening situation.
Others questioned the broader implications of self-defense incidents in public spaces, highlighting how quickly routine activities—such as selling a car—can escalate into deadly encounters.
Lasting Consequences
While the parking lot returned to normal operations, the impact of that night remains. One family is mourning a loss, another is coping with trauma, and a teenager now faces the weight of the criminal justice system.
The case serves as a sobering reminder of the risks associated with online marketplace meetups and the unpredictable nature of violent crime. It also underscores the heavy responsibility carried by individuals forced to make critical decisions in moments of extreme stress.
What began as a simple car sale ultimately became a defining example of how quickly ordinary situations can turn dangerous—and how lasting the consequences can be.