Peacemaker Fatally Shot Outside Father’s Church, Family Starts Nonprofit in his Honor
Winter Haven, Florida – A tragic incident unfolded in Winter Haven, Florida, where a young man was shot and killed outside his father’s church. Now, his grieving family is channeling their pain into a noble cause. Roderick Wilson Jr., known as RJ, was only 20 years old when he was gunned down in the parking lot of the Pentecostal Church of God. His father is the pastor of the church.
The news of RJ’s death came as a devastating blow to his family. I screamed, said Emily Pringle, RJ’s mother, recounting the moment she received the heart-wrenching phone call informing her of her son’s murder. Described as a peacemaker who had a deep love for the Lord, RJ played a pivotal role in keeping his older brother out of trouble. His brother, EJ Dunston, fondly remembered their time together, saying, It would just be me and him. We would walk around the neighborhood. Wherever I went, he was. People would think I was a teen father because he was with me all the time.
Following the incident, the perpetrator, 22-year-old Taquion Quan Cotton, was arrested later that day. Security video footage clearly showed Cotton shooting RJ. After fleeing the scene, Cotton attempted to force his way into a nearby residence by putting a woman in a chokehold. Fortunately, the woman’s distress caught the attention of Cotton’s mother, who rushed to her aid and assisted deputies in apprehending her son. However, the situation escalated further, with Cotton biting his mother, forcing deputies to tase him.
Investigators are still puzzled about the motive behind the senseless killing. While there is no evidence to suggest a prior connection between Cotton and RJ, they continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. For something like this to happen to him. It shouldn’t happen to anyone. I don’t understand, I’ll never understand, lamented Pringle, echoing the profound grief felt by RJ’s family.
In an effort to ensure that RJ’s death is not in vain, his family has decided to establish a nonprofit organization. By doing so, they aim to honor his memory and prevent others from experiencing the same pain they now endure. The prospect of creating the foundation has sparked newfound strength and happiness in RJ’s mother. Dunston expressed the importance of the nonprofit, stating, This is the strongest I’ve seen her, just talking about how she can let her son’s name live on. How we can save many more people, so others don’t have to go through this.
As the investigation into RJ’s murder continues, authorities are still searching for Cotton’s firearm, which has yet to be recovered. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with additional information about the case or the relationship between the two men to come forward.
This devastating event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of promoting peace, unity, and reconciliation within our communities. The tragic loss of a young life has sparked a call to action, inspiring RJ’s family to create a lasting legacy of love and peacemaking. As they embark on their journey to establish the nonprofit organization, they hope to bring about positive change and prevent others from enduring the same tragedy. The memory of RJ will live on through the foundation, honoring his unwavering dedication to faith and his role as a peacemaker.
