On the evening of December 11, 2018, 44-year-old Hispanic male Jose Rodriguez was found deceased in the middle of the road near the intersection of North S Street and West Lee Street in Pensacola, Florida. The Escambia County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of a shooting just before 7 p.m. and discovered his body at the scene. The cause of death was not immediately disclosed by authorities.
Jose Rodriguez, a father of five, was remembered by his mother, Lucy Rodriguez, as a selfless individual who often assisted homeless individuals by providing them with food, water, and shelter. His close friend, Joey Morrison, who had known him for over thirty years, speculated that the motive behind the killing might have been related to a dispute over a car Rodriguez had recently purchased. Morrison mentioned that the seller of the vehicle wanted it back, suggesting a possible connection to the homicide.
Following the incident, the Escambia County Sheriff's Office identified 28-year-old Christopher Armond Odoms Rankine as a person of interest wanted for questioning in connection with the case. Authorities urged anyone with information regarding Rankine's whereabouts to contact the Sheriff's Office or Crime Stoppers. As of the latest available information, no arrests have been made, and the investigation into the death of Jose Rodriguez remains ongoing.
