INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A second man faces a murder charge in connection with a Motel 6 shooting after surveillance footage revealed he fired the fatal shots, authorities said.
Montrell Rolle
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Montrell Deshaun Rolle, 21, who is described as homeless, was charged Thursday with first-degree murder and two counts of grand theft. Rolle, who was already wanted for the thefts, is being held at the Indian River County Jail without bond.
The victim, 44-year-old Jayton Knowles, initially told deputies that 20-year-old Jordan Dawkins shot him. But surveillance footage shows that Rolle, who was with Dawkins, fatally shot Knowles, deputies said.
Deputies on Monday charged Dawkins with first-degree murder. He remains at the county jail without bond.
Jordan Dawkins
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
The shooting happened at 7:35 a.m. Monday at Motel 6 in the 8800 block of 20th Street. Deputies found Knowles in the front lobby with a gunshot wound to the chest. He was taken to a trauma center, where he died two hours later, deputies said.
Deputies described the incident as a “revenge robbery.” Deputies brought Dawkins to the Sheriff’s Office, where he told them Knowles robbed his girlfriend of $3,000 on March 31 and hit him in the face with a firearm, an arrest report shows.
Dawkins said he and three friends, including Rolle, drove to the motel early Monday to fight Knowles in order to get the money back. He suspected Knowles might be at Motel 6. He then saw Knowles walking to a room.
Dawkins said he and Rolle got out of the vehicle to fight Knowles, an arrest report shows. Dawkins, who had a firearm, wrestled with Knowles. Then, gunshots rang out.
The 20-year-old told deputies he thinks Knowles shot himself as they fought over the gun, authorities said. Dawkins also said he thinks his gun fired “once,” but heard two shots.
Dawkins told deputies he got the firearm from Rolle a week before the shooting.
Surveillance Video
Deputies reviewed the motel surveillance footage, which showed Knowles approach a room as Dawkins and Rolle got out of their vehicle. Within three seconds, Dawkins and Knowles began to wrestle. A firearm could be seen in Dawkins hand, deputies said.
The video shows Rolle point a firearm at Knowles. It then shows Rolle “appearing to shoot twice” at Knowles as he ran away toward the lobby, deputies said.
Deputies and a witness were able to identify Rolle as the second man involved in the shooting. Rolle was arrested and taken to the county jail for booking.
Details on if the surveillance footage will be released were not available.
This story will be updated.
