Daniel Eugene Rowe, a 20-year-old white male, was tragically murdered on July 22, 2015, in Jacksonville, Florida. Daniel was working at the Blind Rabbit Burger and Whiskey Bar in the Riverside area when he was attacked. Around 10:00 PM, while taking out the trash, he was approached by two men with the intent to rob him. Despite complying with their demands, Daniel was shot twice in the head by Erron Markese "Trouble" Coleman, a 24-year-old black male with a lengthy criminal record.
Coleman and his accomplice, Devonte Lafelton Hanford, fled the scene with Daniel's wallet, which contained only $4.
The investigation into Daniel's murder was extensive. Initially, there were few leads, but a Crime Stoppers tip eventually led to the arrest of Coleman, who was already in jail on unrelated charges. In a recorded conversation with another inmate, Coleman confessed to the murder and identified Hanford as his accomplice. Coleman pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and armed robbery in July 2017, and he was sentenced to life in prison. Hanford was also arrested and faced charges related to the murder.
The case brought significant emotional turmoil to Daniel's family, who attended court hearings and sought justice for their son. Daniel's father, Steven Rowe, was working across the street from the restaurant when the incident occurred and rushed to the scene upon hearing the news. The family expressed relief at the guilty plea but remained determined to see all involved held accountable. The legal proceedings provided some closure, but the pain of losing Daniel, a beloved father, son, and fiancé, continues to affect those who knew him.
