Much of Haines City was in mourning Sunday, over the death of a Polk County rapper. 

  • Jonathan Jordan shot Saturday night
  • Jordan also known as "J Green"
  • Authorities said brief argument led to altercation and shooting

Jonathan Jordan, also known as rapper “J Green” was shot during a little league football game Saturday night, two days short of his 32nd birthday.
 
His fellow Northeast Rattlers little league football coach, Henry Babers, said J Green was all smiles Saturday, because his team had won a game over a rival team. Jordan stayed at Cook Field throughout the day to see the last game that another team was playing, according to Babers.

Witnesses said Jordan was shot right before the coin toss of that last game. Hundreds of people were present.

"I heard like a big 'bow!' And I seen people ducking like something had exploded or something," said Babers. "I didn't think it was a gunshot. I look over and I hear ‘J Green been shot.’"
 
Babers described Jordan, the father of three young children, as a born leader and master delegator.

"He loved the kids," said Babers. "He was out here coaching football. He had his own tree service.  He has a couple of houses. He was just a good guy. Everybody loved him."
 
Jordan was also a well-known rapper in Polk County. On July 20 he posted to his Facebook page a request from Atlantic Records to send them a demo tape.

"The whole city is hurting right now," said his cousin Duane Temple.
 
Temple admitted Jordan had some run-ins with the law in his past. He was acquitted of a second degree murder charge in 2008.
 
“What they won’t see when they look up his name, they won’t see how many lives he’s touched,” said Temple, “how many people he’s helped, how many people he’s fed.”

Investigators said a brief argument between Jordan and a man he knew led to an altercation and the shooting. The shooter reportedly turned himself in shortly after the shooting, and claimed he shot Jordan in self defense.

Detectives interviewed the shooter and collected evidence from him.

Acting Police Chief Jay Hopwood said they're seeking guidance from the State Attorney's office on whether to make an arrest, and whether the "Stand Your Ground" law applies to this case. Hopwood said they need more witnesses to come forward.
 
Haines City Police do not believe the argument and shooting had anything to do with the little league football game.
 
If you have information about the shooting, call Detective Cindi Trageser (863) 421-3636, ext. 2241.

Ph: Stephanie Claytor, staff