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2 teens indicted in deadly driveway attack on hearing-impaired Orlando man

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Published  September 30, 2024 5:03pm EDT
Orange County
FOX 35 Orlando

Family of murdered man says he had 'heart of gold'

The family of a man with hearing and speech impairments who was attacked, robbed, and murdered in his driveway wants people to remember him for the kind and selfless way he lived his life and not the brutal way he lost it.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Two teenagers have been indicted in connection with the March 21 shooting and robbery that left 50-year-old Robert George Bowen dead in his driveway.

Bowen, a hearing-impaired Orlando man, was found with multiple gunshot wounds outside his home on Watch Hill Rd. early that morning, according to the Orlando Police Department. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Witnesses, including neighbor Rita Noble, told FOX 35 News she heard three or four gunshots on the morning of Bowen's death.

RELATED: Man with hearing, speech impairments brutally murdered remembered by family: 'Heart of gold'

"I feel heartbroken. He was a quiet man, never bothered anybody," she said.

According to investigators, two suspects, later identified as 19-year-old Kendrion Dow and 17-year-old Justin Copeland, attacked Bowen in his driveway, beat him, and then shot him. Bowen’s wallet was stolen, and fraudulent transactions were attempted using his financial information after his death, detectives said. 

RELATED: Teens charged with murder after hearing-impaired Orlando man is beaten, shot: OPD

Investigators said they linked the suspects to the crime through video footage, search warrants, and interviews.

Teens charged in murder of hearing-impaired man

Two teenagers are facing charges for brutally attacking and killing a hearing-impaired man in his driveway, according to the Orlando Police Department (OPD).

On Thursday, the Orange County grand jury formally indicted both Dow and Copeland on charges of first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm. Dow was also charged with unlawfully possessing a stolen credit or debit card. Both teens were arrested earlier this year, with Copeland being charged as an adult.

Dow, who has pleaded not guilty, is currently being held at the Orange County Jail. Copeland is also facing charges of second-degree murder and robbery with a firearm.

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