JACKSONVILLE — One year and two days after a 20-year-old was shot and killed while taking out the garbage at a Riverside restaurant, Jacksonville police and State Attorney Angela Corey announced an arrest in the case.
Erron Coleman, 25, was charged with the murder of Daniel Rowe, who was shot July 22, 2015 in an alley behind the Blind Rabbit, near the intersection of King and College streets, during what police described as a robbery attempt. Coleman also faces armed robbery, burglary and weapons charges.
Standing with Rowe's parents Monday afternoon, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Director Tom Hackney announced an arrest in the case.
"It's taken a while, but I've got some answers," Hackney said, adding police took their time to build their case. "We don't want an arrest; we want a conviction."
Coleman has 12 previous felony convictions and was a suspect in a 2015 strong-arm robbery when a tip from an inmate led police to investigate his connection to Rowe's murder.
"It's a bittersweet day for us," said Raelyn Rowe, Daniel's mother, who added her gratitude for the police, the Justice Coalition and even the media for not letting the case be forgotten.
Hackney said tips were key to breaking the case, but the investigation will not end until Coleman's accomplice is also in jail.
Erron Coleman's criminal history
In October 2010, Coleman was sentenced to five years in prison on 11 charges ranging from burglary to grand theft. He was released on Nov. 21, 2014.
Coleman's also has arrests in 2003 for grand theft and May 2015 for car theft.
The primary tip that led to this arrest will receive a $13,000 reward from Crime Stoppers, and reward money is still available for for tips leading to a second arrest. Callers can remain antonymous and still be eligible for the reward.
Remembering Daniel Rowe
On the anniversary of Rowe's murder Saturday, organizers held a vigil in the parking lot across from where Rowe was shot. About three dozen people came out to show their support. They gathered to light candles and share their memories of Rowe.
News4Jax spoke with Rowe's mother, who talked about her grand daughters and finding justice in her son's death.
"The only thing that his girls have is us," Raelyn Rowe said. "We need to stick together and we just need to keep his memory and his legacy alive for them, and part of his legacy has to be that we find justice."
Investigators have called the case frustrating because they only have a handful of details into what happened the night Rowe was shot.
Lysa Telzer with the Justice Coalition said the group has been helping the family for the past year.
"It doesn't change what happened, but I believe for the Rowe family it will give them some closure," Telzer said. "I think they will be able to sleep easier knowing the perpetrators have been caught."
The local crime advocacy group MAD DADS also attended Saturday's vigil. It's reminding the public there's a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in Rowe's death. Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-866-845-TIPS.
