Police: Ringleader in robbery that ended in shooting of man holding baby surrenders

Antonio Mason, 35, died in triple shooting; daughter, another man injured

Booking photo of Rodney Sheffield

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The accused ringleader in an armed robbery conspiracy that ended in the shooting death of a Gainesville man who was holding his infant child turned himself in Wednesday night at the Alachua County Jail, police said.

Police said Rodney Sheffield directed four other men to rob a home on Northwest 4th Place in July 2016 because he believed a person who had stolen a large amount of money from him was at the home.

Recommended Videos



“This would turn out not to be the case,” police said.

Antonio Mason, 35, died on July 27 after suffering gunshot wounds to the chest at the home. Mason's 11-month-old daughter, who he was holding at the time, and a second adult man were also shot but survived.

Three of the four other suspects identified in the shooting have been arrested: Jacoby Sheffield, 27, Daryl Wilkerson, 25, and Jamal Thompson, 21.

The fourth man, David Lock, 32, has not been located yet.

Police said Lock should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on their location is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 352-372-STOP or visit gainesvillepd.org.

Police said Rodney Sheffield offered money to the other four men to retrieve his lost money, and the four traveled to the Northwest 4th Place house late on July 27, broke into the residence and shot and killed Mason while he was holding his daughter.

All five suspects are facing charges of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder.