On a summer evening in Baltimore, Maryland, the life of 37-year-old Jacob Coates was tragically cut short. On July 29, 2020, Coates was shot and killed in the 3800 block of Potee Street following a dispute. When police arrived at the scene around 9:33 p.m., they found Coates, who had sustained a fatal gunshot wound.
The circumstances leading to the fatal encounter began earlier in the day.
Coates and his wife, who were experiencing homelessness at the time, had gone to an apartment complex to retrieve her forgotten cell phone. While there, they were approached by three men. An argument ensued after Coates' wife gave him $20 to purchase drugs from the individuals. She testified that she was sent to act as a lookout for the police when the argument escalated. She then witnessed two of the men holding her husband's shoulders while the third man shot him. The shooter then allegedly threatened her, putting the gun in her face and telling her to stop screaming or he would kill her too.
In the wake of the shooting, Baltimore police arrested three suspects in connection with the homicide. Vincent Harris, then 22, was charged with first-degree murder and handgun violations. Two other men, Marlow Moore, 22, and Daiquan Anderson, 19, were charged with first-degree assault. The investigation led police to Harris shortly after the incident when a plain-clothed detective, who was at a nearby Royal Farms, was approached by a shirtless Harris offering to sell him drugs. The detective noticed a handgun tucked into Harris's waistband, which was later identified as the weapon used in the shooting. Subsequent DNA analysis confirmed that the blood found on the trigger and handle of the gun belonged to Jacob Coates.
During Vincent Harris's trial in August 2022, a medical examiner testified that Coates had died from a single gunshot wound to the chest. The presence of gunpowder stippling around the wound indicated that the gun was fired at very close range. Coates' wife testified for the prosecution, recounting the events of that tragic day. One of the other suspects, Daiquan Anderson, later accepted a plea deal for first-degree assault and was sentenced to 20 years with all but 15 years suspended, followed by five years of supervised probation. Marlow Moore was also scheduled for trial on assault charges.
