MARION COUNTY, Fla. — A man is dead after a shooting near a Florida middle school award ceremony, the Marion County Sheriff's Office reports. The man responsible for the shooting has been charged with murder, deputies said.
It happened just after 6 p.m. Wednesday at North Marion Middle School in Citra.
Deputies said they found 32-year-old Joseph Juarez Coles and he was transported to a local hospital, where he later died. Another man, 34-year-old Roderick Watson Jr., was taken into custody for his suspected involvement, the sheriff's office said in a news release.
The shooting reportedly happened after Watson and Coles got into an argument in the school's parking lot, deputies said. Witnesses reported seeing Watson take out a gun and shoot the victim multiple times before punching him while he was unconscious.
Arriving deputies found Watson sitting on a bench near Coles before taking him into custody, the sheriff's office said. Watson claimed he acted in self-defense, but deputies reported that evidence contradicted his story.
The awards ceremony was canceled.
Marion County Public Schools spokesperson Kevin Christian told the Ocala StarBanner that no students witnessed or were involved in the shooting.
At least four dozen people sheltered in place inside the school after hearing shots outside, the news outlet reported. They exited safely around 7:20 p.m.
It's not clear what Watson and Coles were arguing about or if they knew each other. Watson is being held with no bond and is charged with second-degree murder, according to deputies.
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods stated the following in a news release:
“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. I immediately put every available detective on this case, and I am proud of their work in getting this disgusting individual off our streets and away from our children.”
