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1 shot, killed during argument at Marion County middle school; man arrested

Roderick Kelvin Watson Jr., 34, faces murder charge

CITRA, Fla. – A 32-year-old man was shot and killed on Wednesday evening during an argument at a middle school in Marion County, according to sheriff’s officials.

Roderick Kelvin Watson Jr., 34, was arrested in the death of 32-year-old Joseph James Juarez Coles at North Marion Middle School in Citra.

According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Watson and Coles got into an argument in the parking lot while there was a student awards ceremony going on inside the school.

Roderick Kelvin Watson Jr. (Marion County Sheriff's Office)

Deputies said Watson shot Coles multiple times and then punched him repeatedly while he was unconscious on the ground.

The sheriff’s office said Watson was found on a bench near the victim and claimed the shooting was in self-defense, but “evidence and witness statements contradicted his claim.”

Coles was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

“A senseless homicide is always upsetting to each of us. But, in this instance, even more upsetting because we have children that have done well throughout the school year and are there to receive awards when an adult chose to set the worst example and commit such a violent act nearby,” Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said in a news release.

Watson faces a charge of murder in the second-degree with a firearm.

No students were involved or injured in the incident.


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About the Authors
Brenda Argueta headshot

Brenda Argueta is a digital journalist who joined ClickOrlando.com in March 2021. She is the author of the Central Florida Happenings newsletter that goes out every Thursday.

Jacob Langston headshot

Jacob joined ClickOrlando.com in 2022. He spent 19 years at the Orlando Sentinel, mostly as a photojournalist and video journalist, before joining Spectrum News 13 as a web editor and digital journalist in 2021.

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