Michael White was 25 and lived in Ocala, Florida when he was shot dead on November 1, 2019. Cole allegedly struck Studivant with a gun, shot Studivant multiple times, and then shot White; both victims were taken to a hospital by an eyewitness and died of their injuries.

Jason Thomas Cole was arrested on November 6, 2019, and charged with two counts of second-degree murder. Cole maintained he acted in self-defense and sought to invoke Florida’s stand your ground defense, but Judge Steven G. Rodgers denied that claim, finding the evidence insufficient to support it. Witnesses testified there had been no confrontation before the shooting and said Cole had talked about committing a robbery and appeared under the influence.

Anyone who knew Michael White or has information about what happened that morning is asked to come forward.