A Florida man will spend the rest of his life in prison after a jury convicted him of fatally shooting another man outside a middle school following a student awards ceremony in 2024.
Roderick Kelvin Watson Jr., 36, was found guilty of premeditated first-degree murder in the death of 32-year-old Joseph James Juarez Coles. Circuit Judge Barbara Kissner-Kwatkosky sentenced Watson to life in prison following the verdict, announced in October 2026.
The shooting happened on May 22, 2024, in the parking lot of North Marion Middle School in Citra, in Marion County. Students, parents and school staff had gathered for an end-of-year ceremony celebrating students’ achievements when a dispute involving the children’s custody escalated into deadly violence.
How the Dispute Turned Deadly
Investigators determined that Coles and Watson’s fiancée shared children who attended the school. The adults were at the campus for the awards ceremony, and an argument reportedly broke out afterward over where the children would go.
According to the investigation, Coles wanted to take the children home with him, while their mother said they needed to remain with her because the school year had not yet ended. Watson became involved in the disagreement.
The mother’s account indicated that Coles had grabbed her arm, prompting Watson to intervene. However, witnesses described a different sequence of events, telling investigators that Coles turned to walk away after Watson approached him.
Witnesses said Watson shot Coles multiple times. After Coles fell, Watson repeatedly struck him with his fists and kicked him in the head, according to prosecutors’ account of the case.
Marion County sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene and found Coles suffering from four gunshot wounds. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Watson Claimed Self-Defense
Watson remained at the scene and identified himself as the person who had fired the shots. He maintained that he acted in self-defense, a claim that became a central issue in the case.
Prosecutors relied on eyewitness accounts and physical evidence gathered during the investigation to present their case. The evidence ultimately persuaded the jury that Watson was guilty of premeditated first-degree murder.
Assistant State Attorney Toby Hunt prosecuted the case.
The conviction and life sentence bring the criminal proceedings to a major milestone more than two years after the shooting. The case also highlights the consequences of a personal dispute escalating into violence at a school campus where families had gathered to celebrate students.
A Father Remembered by His Family
Coles was a father of four. His obituary described him as a devoted parent whose children were central to his life.
The loss left his family grieving a man they remembered for his commitment to his children and the happiness he wanted for them.
The case also prompted a strong response from State Attorney Bill Gladson, who emphasized that school grounds should remain places where children can learn and celebrate their accomplishments without being exposed to deadly violence.
Watson’s life sentence reflects the jury’s finding that the shooting constituted premeditated murder rather than justified self-defense.
What began as a disagreement over family arrangements outside a school awards ceremony ended with a man’s death, a family left to mourn and a life sentence imposed in a case that unfolded in front of a community gathered for a school celebration.
