On Sunday, October 22, 2023, in Winter Haven, Florida, a violent incident left a 20-year-old man dead in the parking lot of the Pentecostal Church of God.
The victim, Roderick Wilson Jr., was the son of the church’s pastor and resided in an apartment on church property.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Taquion “Quan” Cotton, a 22-year-old gang member with a noted criminal history, is charged with the murder. The deadly confrontation between Cotton and Wilson was captured on a nearby business’ security footage, providing investigators with critical insights into the events of that night.
The footage revealed that Cotton had an initial altercation with Wilson, which involved pushing and shoving. Cotton then drove away, only to return shortly after, leading to a second, fatal confrontation.
The video evidence showed Cotton shooting and killing Wilson, who was discovered almost an hour later by a passerby around 2 am.
Roderick Wilson Jr. was described by Sheriff Grady Judd as a “good kid” with no prior criminal records, who worked for the church under his father’s guidance. In stark contrast, Taquion Cotton’s background includes 11 felony arrests and six misdemeanor arrests. However, despite these numerous charges, Cotton has no felony convictions on his record.
Following the shooting, authorities were quick to identify Cotton’s vehicle, thanks to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office’s homicide team’s efforts. Cotton’s arrest took a dramatic turn. As deputies approached him for the arrest, he allegedly assaulted a woman, placing her in a chokehold in an attempt to gain entry to her home. The situation escalated when Cotton’s mother intervened, leading Cotton to bite her during the struggle. Cotton was finally subdued and taken into custody after deputies deployed a taser.
Though Cotton is in custody, the firearm used in the shooting remains missing. To facilitate its recovery, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office is offering a reward of $5,000 to anyone who can provide information leading to the weapon.
Many questions remain unanswered about this fatal incident. The initial cause of the confrontation between Cotton and Wilson is still uncertain. Authorities are urging any potential witnesses or people with relevant information to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation.
During a press briefing, Sheriff Judd addressed the gravity of the situation, stating that Wilson was a devout Christian who “loved the Lord.” Judd emphasized the importance of ensuring justice for Wilson’s family through the legal system. In line with this pursuit of justice, Cotton is facing multiple charges, including first-degree murder, burglary with battery, kidnapping, and several others.
