FORT PIERCE, Fla. — A 20-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of a gold shop manager during business hours on April 28. Police say Lanessa Rodriguez, 35, was shot inside Cash Out Gold and Silver, located on South U.S. Highway 1.
The incident unfolded when Landen Julian Ballard entered the shop with another individual. After a brief conversation with Rodriguez, Ballard allegedly pulled out a firearm and shot her multiple times. Emergency responders were dispatched shortly after 7 p.m. when a colleague of Rodriguez’s went to check on her when she failed to answer calls. Upon arrival, they discovered her lifeless body on the floor, surrounded by blood.
Authorities found bullet casings and damage within the store during the investigation. Video footage captured the exchange between Rodriguez and Ballard before the shooting. Reports indicate that Ballard initially engaged in a calm discussion with Rodriguez and then retrieved a handgun from his waist. After firing, he reportedly emptied the magazine before leaving the scene.
Witness accounts suggest that another woman, who drove Ballard to the shop, became pivotal in the investigation. She informed police that Ballard had expressed a desire to sell a gold pendant to Rodriguez, who had previously offered him work. Remarkably, after the shooting, Ballard reportedly admitted to her that he had shot Rodriguez without any sign of remorse.
Following the shooting, police discovered a 9mm firearm in the vicinity of Interstate 95, discarded by Ballard, according to the driver’s testimony. The woman also revealed that Ballard had considered robbing the shop but abandoned the plan upon noticing police activity nearby.
Ballard was arrested at his mother’s residence with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service and was subsequently booked into St. Lucie County Jail. In addition to first-degree murder charges, he faces accusations of tampering with physical evidence and violation of probation. Earlier reports indicated that he had been under community supervision for prior offenses involving threats of violence.
As the investigation progressed, police arrested a second suspect, Tylen Jerome Ryan, 22, on charges of tampering with evidence. This development highlights the ongoing complexity of the case, which remains focused on Ballard’s actions. Ryan has not been accused of firing a weapon, but his involvement is under scrutiny concerning the aftermath of the shooting.
Rodriguez, a transgender woman, was well-known among local communities, including LGBTQ and drag circles. Friends remember her as a dedicated individual who was actively building her life and career in the area. Close friend Nayomy Nomelin described her as generous and driven, while coworker Tina Dirkes noted that Rodriguez had been helping with Ballard’s job prospects that day.
The shop remains closed as investigators work to compile evidence, including video footage, witness statements, and other physical materials. Court records have yet to establish a date for Ballard’s next hearing, while Ryan’s case is progressing separately. As of now, both cases are intertwined with the tragic events on April 28, leaving the community in mourning.