Putnam County woman arrested after shooting 43-year-old man in the head

PALATKA, Fla. — A Putnam County woman has now been arrested after police say she shot and killed a 43-year-old man on Saturday.

Action News Jax spoke to the father of the victim, who said it happened right before his eyes.

“I was right here when it happened. I looked right at her when she shot him,” Sammy Mayes Austin said.

Austin told Action News Jax he was there the moment his son was shot and taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

“I said, ‘Don’t you shoot that boy.’ She said, ‘I’m going to kill him,’ and that’s what she did,” Austin said.

Draneshia Bellamy is being charged with second-degree murder.

Around 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13, Palatka Police Department Capt. Matt Newcomb said they responded to a disturbance call.

“They just live in the same block, and I guess there had been an ongoing argument between the two of them throughout the day,” Newcomb said. “Ms. Bellamy ended up shooting Mr. Mayes.”

This isn’t the first time Bellamy has had run-ins with police.

After digging through Bellamy’s arrest records, Action News Jax found several incidents.

She has now been arrested 19 times, including for aggravated assault, criminal mischief and trespassing among many others.

Austin said his son was liked around the community.

“I feel bad. I really feel bad. I miss him,” Austin said.

“He had just come home and he was doing good.”

Austin said he has a lot running through his mind right now.

Bellamy is currently being held at the Putnam County Jail.

Cox Media Group