Photos for Headline Surfer / How ironic that Joshua A. Irwin, 33, shown above, whose shirt color in his booking mug, matches the yellow crime scene tape where he allegedly shot and killed James Gilson, shown here at left, outside the Wyndham apartments where the victim had lived, just after 2:30 a.m. Tuesday. Gilson, 29, was pronounced dead a short time after arrival at Central Florida Regional Hospital in Sanford from a gunshot blast to his chest. Irwin is being held without bond at the James E. Polk Jail Facility pending a first appearance hearing Wednesday on felony charges of homicide-willful killing and possession of a weapon or ammo by a convicted felon. Irwin faces life in prison if convicted.SANFORD, Fla. -- Sanford Police investigators said they have arrested Joseph A. Irwin for the gunshot-homicide of James Gilson, after an argument over a cigar turned deadly several hours before sunrise today.
Here is a synopsis of what is alleged as described by Sanford Police PIO Bianca Gillet in an email alert to Headline Surfer:
"At approximately 2:32 AM, Sanford Police Department received a 9-1-1 call reporting a possible sexual battery and shooting with injuries at 8302 Wyndham Crest Blvd, in Sanford. Upon arrival, officers found James Gilson, DOB 11/04/1988, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the chest. Gilson was transported to Central Florida Regional Hospital where he later died as a result of his injuries. The preliminary investigation indicates that Joseph Irwin, DOB 08/25/1983, and his girlfriend, were invited to James Gilson’s apartment as guests."
"During the early morning hours, an altercation began between Gilson and Irwin over a cigar," Gillet told Headline Surfer. "The altercation escalated from a verbal disagreement into a physical fight. During the course of the altercation, Irwin grabbed a handgun from a bag of his and his girlfriend’s belongings. As the altercation became physical, Irwin shot Gilson in the chest with the gun."
"During the early morning hours, an altercation began between Gilson and Irwin over a cigar," Gillet told Headline Surfer. "The altercation escalated from a verbal disagreement into a physical fight. During the course of the altercation, Irwin grabbed a handgun from a bag of his and his girlfriend’s belongings. As the altercation became physical, Irwin shot Gilson in the chest with the gun."
Based on the investigation, probable cause was established to arrest Irwin for one count of second-degree homicide (murder) and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Irwin was transported to the John E. Polk Correctional Facility in Sanford where he was being held without bond pending a first appearance hearing.