On June 15, 2024, a 46-year-old man named Jeffrey Robert Lowder was fatally shot in West Palm Beach, Florida. The incident occurred in the 500 block of 18th Street, near the intersection of 18th Street and Beautiful Drive, at approximately 10:15 a.m.
According to the investigation, Lowder was attempting to purchase marijuana from a suspect when the incident took place.
The suspect, identified as Darquize Devanon McKinon, 26, allegedly met Lowder and a witness near the intersection of 5th Street and Rosemary Avenue. McKinon promised to take them to a location to obtain marijuana, and they drove to the scene of the shooting.
Once they arrived, McKinon pulled out a gun, pointed it at Lowder, and demanded that he empty his wallet. During this robbery, McKinon shot Lowder, who was found by police with multiple gunshot wounds. Lowder was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 10:25 a.m.
A witness who was with Lowder at the time of the shooting provided crucial details to investigators. The witness reported that after McKinon shot Lowder, he punched McKinon in the face, knocking him to the ground, and then ran away from the scene. The witness stated that he ran so quickly that he lost his shoes in the process. Surveillance video corroborated the witness's account, including the additional shots heard as he fled.
Police identified McKinon through video evidence and a rental vehicle, a 2024 Nissan Altima, which was linked to him. McKinon was arrested on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, in the Westgate neighborhood of West Palm Beach. He has been charged with one count of first-degree murder with a firearm and one count of robbery with a firearm. McKinon made his first court appearance on Wednesday and is being held without bond.
The investigation also noted that Lowder was wearing a necklace at the time of the shooting, which was missing when police found his body, and his shirt was ripped, indicating a struggle.
