A Marion County middle school shooting case came to a close this week when a jury convicted Roderick Kelvin Watson Jr., 36, of first-degree premeditated murder and a judge sentenced him to life in prison. Watson was found guilty of gunning down 32-year-old Joseph James Jaurez Coles outside North Marion Middle School in Florida following a student awards ceremony in 2024, Fox 35 Orlando reported.
TL;DR: Roderick Kelvin Watson Jr., 36, was sentenced to life in prison after a jury convicted him of first-degree premeditated murder in the May 22, 2024 shooting of Joseph James Jaurez Coles, 32, in the parking lot of North Marion Middle School. The shooting followed a custody-related argument; Watson claimed self-defense but the jury rejected that account.
A Celebration Turned Into a Crime Scene
The shooting happened on May 22, 2024, in the parking lot of North Marion Middle School after an awards ceremony attended by students, families, and school staff. Marion County sheriff’s deputies responding to the school found Coles suffering from four gunshot wounds. He later died.
Investigators said Coles had become involved in an argument with another person over a custody dispute when Watson intervened. Witnesses told investigators that Coles turned to walk away after Watson became involved, but prosecutors said Watson then shot Coles several times.
Authorities said Watson repeatedly punched Coles after he fell to the ground, then kicked him in the head before walking away from the scene.
Self-Defense Claim Rejected
Watson told law enforcement that he shot Coles in self-defense, according to prosecutors. After he was taken into custody, investigators said Watson declined to provide a statement after being advised of his rights.
Investigators collected evidence from the scene and interviewed several witnesses before Watson was charged. The jury’s verdict shows it found the prosecution’s account — that Watson attacked a man who was trying to walk away — more credible than the self-defense claim.
Life Sentence Handed Down
A jury found Watson guilty of premeditated first-degree murder on Thursday. Circuit Judge Barbara Kissner-Kwatkosky sentenced him to life in prison following the verdict.
Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Gladson said the shooting turned what was supposed to be a school celebration into a scene of violence. He said a school campus should be a place where children learn, achieve, and celebrate their accomplishments, not where an adult illegally brings a firearm and uses it to take another person’s life.
Gladson added that the shooting killed a man and exposed students and others at the school to what he called a horrific act of violence, and that the conviction holds the defendant accountable while the life sentence reflects the gravity of his crime. Assistant State Attorney Toby Hunt prosecuted the case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was sentenced to life in prison?
Roderick Kelvin Watson Jr., 36, was convicted of first-degree premeditated murder and sentenced to life in prison by Circuit Judge Barbara Kissner-Kwatkosky.
Who was the victim?
Joseph James Jaurez Coles, 32, was shot and killed in the school parking lot. Deputies found him with four gunshot wounds and he later died.
When and where did the shooting happen?
The shooting happened on May 22, 2024, in the parking lot of North Marion Middle School in Florida, after a student awards ceremony attended by students, families and staff.
What led to the shooting?
Investigators said Coles had become involved in an argument with another person over a custody dispute when Watson intervened. Witnesses said Coles turned to walk away, and prosecutors said Watson then shot him several times, punched him after he fell, and kicked him in the head.
Did Watson claim self-defense?
Yes. Watson told law enforcement that he shot Coles in self-defense, but the jury rejected that account and convicted him of premeditated first-degree murder.
Did Watson give a statement to investigators?
After being taken into custody, Watson declined to provide a statement after being advised of his rights, according to investigators.
Who prosecuted the case?
Assistant State Attorney Toby Hunt prosecuted the case for the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office.
What did the state attorney say about the sentence?
State Attorney Bill Gladson said the shooting turned a school celebration into a scene of violence, that the conviction holds the defendant accountable, and that the life sentence reflects the gravity of his crime.
Featured image: joinkwikly.com (Ocala, FL photo)
