Office of The State Attorney, Fifth Judicial Circuit, Florida
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Serving the Citizens of Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter Counties
Office of The State Attorney, Fifth Judicial Circuit, Florida
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Serving the Citizens of Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter Counties

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WATSON FOUND GUILTY AND SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR 2024 MURDER OF MAN OUTSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL

(Marion County, FL) Yesterday evening, a jury found 36-year-old Roderick Kelvin Watson Jr. guilty of Premeditated First-Degree Murder following a school shooting in Ocala that resulted in the death of 32-year-old Joseph James Jaurez Coles. Following the verdict, Judge Barbara Kissner-Kwatkosky sentenced Watson to Life in prison.

“A school campus should be a place where children learn, achieve, and celebrate their accomplishments – not a place where an adult illegally brings a firearm and uses it to take another person’s life,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “This defendant did just that during what was supposed to be a ceremonial event attended by countless students, families, and staff. Those actions cost a man his life and exposed others, including children, to a horrific act of violence. This conviction holds the defendant accountable, and the life sentence imposed reflects the gravity of his crime.”

The shooting occurred on May 22, 2024, in the parking lot of North Marion Middle School in Citrus, after a student awards ceremony. Deputies with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded to the school after the incident occurred and located the victim. The victim sustained four gunshot wounds and was later pronounced deceased.    

Officials learned that the victim became involved in an argument related to a custody dispute with another individual when Watson intervened. Witnesses on scene stated that when Watson intervened, the victim turned to walk away. At that time, the defendant shot the victim multiple times before the victim fell to the ground. While on the ground, Watson repeatedly struck the victim with his fists before getting up, kicking the victim in the head and walking away.

Watson stated to law enforcement that he had shot the victim in self-defense. After taking the defendant into custody, Watson refused to give a post-Miranda statement. After processing the crime scene and collecting vital evidence in this case, along with various eyewitness statements, the defendant was arrested and charged.

Assistant State Attorney Toby Hunt successfully prosecuted this case.

Published on 10/09/2026.