In the fall of 2021, the life of a charismatic young man, Coleman Zarion 'CJ' Brown, was tragically cut short. The 19-year-old, a Black/African American male, was at his job at the Piggly Wiggly grocery store on Rivers Avenue in North Charleston, South Carolina, on October 29, 2021, when he was fatally shot. His death sent ripples of shock and grief through the community that knew him for his infectious smile and generous spirit.
The North Charleston Police Department launched an
immediate investigation into the shooting. Their efforts led to the arrest of 34-year-old Jerrold Cooper Jr. The police charged Cooper with murder, attempted murder, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. Authorities stated that Cooper had illegally carried the weapon into the shopping center where the senseless act of violence occurred.
In the wake of this tragedy, family, friends, and local leaders gathered to honor CJ's memory at a candlelight vigil. The gathering served not only as a moment to remember a life taken too soon but also as a call to action against the gun violence that continues to plague communities. The case against Jerrold Cooper Jr. is proceeding through the legal system, carrying the weight of a community's hope for justice for Coleman Zarion 'CJ' Brown.
