St. Marys murder suspect arrested in Indianapolis

Police: Roney Wilson wanted in April shooting death of Jimeshia Gordon, 24

ST. MARYS, Ga. – A man wanted for murder in the April shooting death of his 24-year-old girlfriend and aggravated assault in the injury of her 1-year-old daughter was arrested in Indianapolis Thursday afternoon, the St. Marys Police Department said.

Roney Wilson, 32, was booked on a weapons charge into the Marion County Jail in Indianapolis, where he will await an extradition hearing for his return to Georgia, police said. 

The Police Department said it first received information on Aug. 15 that Wilson had been seen in a pawn shop in Indianapolis on Aug. 12, which led to his arrest by members of the Federal Marshal Fugitive Task Force. 

Jimeshia Gordon, 24, was shot just after 7 p.m. on April 25 at the Cumberland Oaks Apartments. She was airlifted to UF Health Jacksonville, where she died. 

Gordon's daughter, 1-year-old Kamela Gordon, was grazed by a bullet. She was taken to a local hospital, where she was treated and released to family members. 

The 1-year-old and her 5-year-old sister now live in St. Petersburg with their grandmother. 

"Jimeshia was so loving and caring. She was a good mother to her kids," said Pam Cummings, Gordon's mother. "Everybody got along with her. Everybody in the family loved her. And their mama. They miss their mama. It is just so sad."

Learning of Wilson's arrest was a bittersweet moment for Cummings, who had begged for months for him to turn himself in.

"I'm so happy they caught him. I am so happy. They have finally caught him. He ran long enough," Cummings said. "I never thought he would do something like this."

It is unclear at this time how long the extradition process will take and when Wilson will be brought back to Georgia.

Gordon's loved ones said they hope justice is swift.

"He doesn't deserve to live another day," Cummings said.

I-TEAM investigates Roney Wilson's background

Incident reports from the St. Marys Police Department, obtained by the News4Jax I-TEAM in April, revealed that Roney Wilson has a list of charges dating back to 2005, when he was charged was for driving without a license.

According to the reports, several incidents happened at the Cumberland Oaks Apartments and throughout the city of St. Marys.

In 2007, Wilson was charged with misdemeanor battery. The police report said a woman claimed Wilson beat her up -- punching her in the face, throwing her to the ground and kicking her. The woman had a busted lip and scratches on her legs and arms, the report said.

In 2008, he was arrested on charges of probation violation obstruction and more charges of assault and battery, according to reports.

He also faced charges of firearm possession by a convicted felon and larceny theft over the next several years, according to the reports.

In 2015, police said they were called after a woman in a relationship with Wilson claimed she caught him in bed with another woman and when she confronted him about it, he became enraged and began to beat her. He allegedly grabbed her by the neck, threw her into the bathtub and wouldn't let her leave, the report said.

Wilson was charged with felony aggravated assault, felony false imprisonment and misdemeanor battery, the incident report said.


About the Author:

Lifetime Jacksonville resident anchors the 8 and 9 a.m. weekday newscasts and is part of the News4Jax I-Team.