Roderick Watson sentenced to life for fatal shooting outside Ocala middle school

A Florida jury convicted Roderick Watson Jr., 36, of first-degree murder for shooting Joseph Coles dead in a school parking lot in May 2024. Judge Barbara Kissner-Kwatkosky imposed a life sentence.

Life sentence handed down in Ocala school parking lot murder

A Marion County jury found Roderick Kelvin Watson Jr., 36, guilty of Premeditated First-Degree Murder on Wednesday evening, according to sao5.org. Judge Barbara Kissner-Kwatkosky immediately sentenced Watson to life in prison following the verdict.

The killing took place on 22 May 2024 in the parking lot of North Marion Middle School in Citrus, shortly after a student awards ceremony had concluded. Joseph James Jaurez Coles, 32, was shot four times and pronounced dead at the scene. Marion County Sheriff's Office deputies responded after the incident was reported.

Investigators established that Coles had become involved in a verbal dispute connected to a custody matter with another individual when Watson stepped in. Multiple eyewitnesses told authorities that Coles turned to walk away at the moment Watson intervened. Watson then fired at Coles several times, and after Coles fell to the ground, Watson struck him repeatedly with his fists, kicked him in the head, and walked away.

Watson told law enforcement he had acted in self-defence. After being taken into custody, he declined to give a post-Miranda statement. Evidence gathered at the crime scene, combined with eyewitness accounts, led to his arrest and the murder charge.

Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Gladson said a school campus should be a place where children learn and celebrate their achievements, not where an adult illegally brings a firearm and takes another person's life. "This defendant did just that during what was supposed to be a ceremonial event attended by countless students, families, and staff," Gladson said. "Those actions cost a man his life and exposed others, including children, to a horrific act of violence."

Gladson added that the conviction holds Watson accountable and that the life sentence reflects the gravity of the crime. Assistant State Attorney Toby Hunt prosecuted the case.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)