- Florida man accused of fatally shooting his father in Port Charlotte.
- Defendant told authorities he acted after "hearing voices."
- Dispute centered on employment and rent payments.
- Victim was shot multiple times before being pulled from his vehicle.
- Suspect returned to the scene and surrendered to deputies.
Authorities in Florida say a 25-year-old man has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting and killing his father during a confrontation about employment and rent obligations. The incident unfolded Monday in Port Charlotte, roughly 95 miles south of Tampa.
According to an affidavit of probable cause, Melquan Stewart told investigators that his father, Glenn Stewart, had arrived at his residence to demand proof he was working toward completing his military paperwork. Glenn had also been urging his son to find a job and begin paying his own rent, which the victim had reportedly covered for the past four months.
Investigators said Glenn Stewart was sitting in the driver’s seat of his Volkswagen Taos SUV when his son approached the vehicle. Melquan placed his bag in the rear seat before claiming he suddenly “heard voices” in his head “telling him to shoot the victim.” He told authorities he had experienced such voices before but admitted this was the first time he acted on them.
Melquan allegedly opened fire through the rolled-down front passenger window using a Ruger LC9 handgun, striking his father six times. As the elder Stewart attempted to reverse and escape, the defendant reportedly pulled him from the SUV, laid him on the driveway, shot him again, placed his arms over his chest, and told him he loved him.
The affidavit states that Melquan then entered the SUV and set the GPS for Miami before changing his mind and returning to the scene. By that time, deputies had already responded to multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire and a man lying in a driveway. Glenn Stewart was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
When Melquan approached officers, he reportedly had “apparent blood on his person” and stated he was surrendering, again mentioning the voices he claimed to have heard. Deputies detained him without incident. Investigators later discovered suspected blood inside and outside the SUV and a black semiautomatic handgun in plain view on the front passenger floorboard.
Court records show Melquan Stewart made his first appearance Monday and is scheduled for a criminal hearing Thursday. He is being held without bond.
