A tragic incident unfolded in Orlando, Florida, when a woman seeking to divorce her husband was fatally shot in their home. The accused, Lamar Bryant, 41, is facing charges of first-degree premeditated murder following the death of his wife, Takeshia Bryant, 42. The victim’s family has requested that she be referred to by her maiden name, Takeshia Eads.
According to legal documents, Eads had recently initiated divorce proceedings against Bryant, who had refused to sign the divorce papers. The fatal incident occurred on March 25, shortly after 3:30 p.m., when Bryant, allegedly under the influence, picked up their daughter from school.
Witnesses, including the couple’s daughter and a girl believed to be dating Bryant’s son, reported that Bryant drove from the school to a liquor store, where he purchased a bottle of alcohol. He then allegedly consumed the alcohol while driving to a storage unit, which his daughter claimed was used to store illegal substances and firearms.
Bryant reportedly left the vehicle alone and returned from the storage unit with his hands in his pockets. He then allegedly removed two firearms from his pockets and placed them on the vehicle’s center console. The daughter identified the weapons as two black Glocks, one equipped with a laser.
Upon arriving at their home, Eads approached the vehicle. At this point, the two passengers exited the car, and Bryant allegedly placed the firearms in his daughter’s purse, instructing her to hide them behind the house due to a suspected police helicopter in the vicinity.
Once the helicopter had left, Bryant allegedly retrieved the hidden firearms. Eads had entered the house to use the restroom, and Bryant followed shortly after. Approximately 15 to 20 minutes later, their daughter heard sounds resembling gunshots. She entered the house and saw Bryant emerging from the area of the bathroom that Eads had used.
The daughter confronted Bryant, who shrugged off her inquiries and left the house. She then discovered her mother in the bathroom and immediately called 911. The police’s observations at the scene corroborated the witnesses’ accounts.
The legal documents state that Bryant consciously decided to commit the murder of Takeshia Bryant. There was no evidence to suggest that Eads was armed or posed a threat to Bryant at the time of the homicide, leading investigators to label the killing as premeditated.
Eads, a mother of four and soon-to-be grandmother of five, was described by her family as their backbone. Bryant made his initial court appearance on Thursday and was ordered to remain in custody. His next hearing is scheduled for April 1.