Tampa man ‘showed no remorse’ after allegedly killing Clearwater cyclist with tire iron, police say

A Tampa man was arrested Saturday in connection with the violent murder of a cyclist in Clearwater, Florida early Friday morning.

At a press conference on Saturday, Clearwater Deputy Chief Michael Walek announced that Jermaine Bennett was charged with first-degree murder in the « heinous and violent » attack on Jeffrey Chapman, 49, who was riding a bicycle on Mandalay Avenue just after midnight when he was killed.

Bennett allegedly admitted to attacking Chapman more than 10 times with a tire iron because « the evils of society got to him, » Walek said.

Clearwater police said the incident was « completely random » and Chapman was not targeted.

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« It was a chance encounter that turned out to be fatal as the victim was simply trying to ride his bike home, » Walek said.

Detectives were able to link Bennett and his vehicle, a black four-door sedan, to the crime through surveillance footage and tips from the community.

Bennett reportedly « showed no remorse for his actions » and went to work at Insight Family Eye Care in Wesley Chapel after he allegedly killed Chapman.

Clearwater police are also looking for a second suspect in the attack described as a thin man between 6ft and 6ft 2in tall.

« It’s only a matter of time until we get you, » Walek said while encouraging the second suspect to come forward.

Police said it was unclear why Bennett and the second suspect were in the Clearwater area.

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Clearwater Deputy Police Chief Michael Walek announces the arrest of Jermaine Bennett, charged with the murder of a cyclist killed with a tire iron.
(Clearwater Police/Twitter)

Bennet was taken to the Pasco County Jail Saturday morning, where he awaits extradition to Pinellas County.

While investigating Chapman’s death, Clearwater detectives were made aware of a similar attack that had taken place an hour earlier in the St. Petersburg area, FOX 13 Tampa Bay reported.

The victim of this attack was not killed, but the police are working to determine if there is a link between the two incidents.

Clearwater, Florida police respond to Mandalay Avenue to investigate the violent attack on a bicyclist on Friday, October 21, 2022.
(Clearwater Police Department/Facebook)

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Anyone with information about the identity of the second suspect or the attack is asked to call Clearwater PD at 727-562-4242.