He Said The 'Ills Of Society Had Gotten To Him.' Then He Killed A Man With A Tire Iron: Police

A Florida man violently killed a 49-year-old with a tire iron because the "ills of society had gotten to him," according to police.

Clearwater police arrested Jermaine Adrian Bennett and are searching for a second suspect in connection to an incident that left Jeffrey Chapman dead after he was struck with a tire iron more than 10 times while on a bike ride, Fox 13 News reported.

According to the outlet, Clearwater Deputy Chief Michael Walek said the "heinous and violent" killing was unprovoked. "I want to make it clear that this was a totally random act," Walek stated. "The victim was not targeted. It was a chance encounter that turned deadly while the victim was simply trying to ride his bike home."

Fox 13 News reported that police were able to link Bennett to the crime because of surveillance video. He wound up admitting to his part in the killing, police say.

Walek told the outlet that Bennett went to work in Wesley Chapel not long after the incident and showed no remorse for what he allegedly did. The second suspect is described as a slender man standing 6 foot to 6-foot-2. "It’s only a matter of time until we get you," Walek said.

Walek told Fox 13 News that the two men arrived in Clearwater for unknown reasons. "This is a very random act in that area of Clearwater Beach," Walek said. "This type of activity does not occur."

Officers learned that a similar incident took place an hour before in St. Petersburg, and they are working to determine whether or not the two incidents are related.

Bennett is being held in the Pasco County jail as he awaits extradition to Pinellas County.