Homicide suspects arrested

The Orlando Police Department Fugitive Unit arrested 20-year-old Edward Henry last Tuesday in connection with a home invasion robbery along Winter Park’s Loren Avenue that resulted in the death of 29-year-old Patrick Taft Jackson.

Henry is suspected to be one of three masked gunmen who broke into Jackson’s Winter Park apartment around midnight on June 12. Jackson suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen, and died from his injuries in the hospital three days later.

The victim’s brother and a friend were in the house during the incident, and revealed details on the three suspects that led to Henry’s arrest at the residence of his mother.

Investigators said there is no indication that the suspects knew the victims or that the victims knew the suspects on a personal basis.

“Anytime there’s a loss of life at the hands of another, it’s a tragic event,” Winter Park Police Chief Brett Railey said. “While the investigation is still ongoing due to there being two additional suspects still at large, we have promising leads in the case, and are hopeful that there will be additional arrests soon.”

Henry has been charged with first-degree felony murder and home invasion robbery, and could face up to life in prison.

Henry’s criminal record includes one felony drug arrest, which occurred when the Joint Homicide Investigation Team conducted a search warrant with the Orlando Police Department SWAT team at Henry’s Orlando apartment July 11.

Lead Investigator Detective Frank Cowart said that the investigation team is aware of the reasons and motivations of the three suspects, but is unable to reveal details because of the ongoing investigation.

In the meantime, police are still on the lookout for further leads that could help in the arrest of the two remaining suspects.

“There are definitely people in the public that have information that could be useful to us, and by all means we are asking them to come forward and give us any information that we could use to further our investigation,” Cowart said.

This is Winter Park’s first homicide charge since 2006. A shooting death in 2008 was later determined to be self-defense.

“Winter Park is one of the premier places to live, work and play in the Central Florida area,” Sgt. Jamie Loomis said. “We strive diligently, as do our community stakeholders, to keep Winter Park safe.”