Police: Man accused of killing 2 friends

Jacksonville police say three were planning robbery

Darian Alston

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Police said three friends were discussing committing an armed robbery earlier this month when one of them changed his mind and shot and killed the other two men.

According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Cedrick Washington, 33, is accusesd of killing 34-year-old James Battle (pictured below, right) and 23-year-old Darian Alston (below, left) behind a warehouse on Burke Street in the Lackawanna area early the morning of Sept. 15.

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Washington was arrested by patrol officers on the day of the slayings after witnesses reported seeing him setting a car belonging to one of the victims on fire. Police said Washington also had items belonging to the victims in his possession when he was taken into custody.

According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Washington later confessed to the killings and murder charges were added.

Darian Alston
James Battle

"All three of them were together and they were actually planning to commit a robbery at another location," said JSO Assistant Chief Chris Butler. "For some reason our suspect in this case got the feeling that they were going to do him harm, so he killed both of them."

Washington is charged with two counts of murder, resisting arrest burglary, petty theft, and possession of cocaine and marijuana.