In the summer of 2022, a beloved father and coach from Norcross, Georgia, found his life tragically cut short in a senseless act of violence. Bradley Coleman, a 29-year-old male, was at a QuikTrip gas station on Peachtree Parkway on July 10th, simply trying to put air in his tires. It was a routine task on a Sunday afternoon that quickly turned into a fatal encounter. As he tended to his vehicle, three men in a black car pulled up beside him with the intention of stealing his car.
A struggle ensued as one of the men jumped into the driver's seat of Coleman's car. Coleman fought back, trying to prevent the theft of his vehicle. During the altercation, as the suspects were attempting to flee, one of them fired a gun, striking Coleman. The men then sped away, leaving him fatally wounded at the gas station. The incident was a tragic example of what law enforcement refers to as a 'slider crime,' where thieves target unsuspecting victims at gas stations.
The investigation into Bradley Coleman's death led to the identification and arrest of three suspects: David Booker, Miles Collins, and Josiah Hughley. Within weeks of the shooting, Booker and Collins were taken into custody and charged with felony murder and aggravated assault. Hughley was later apprehended as the third and final suspect. It was revealed during the legal proceedings that all three men had prior criminal histories.
The case went to trial, and after an initial mistrial in October 2023, a retrial began. During the trial, Josiah Hughley confessed to being the one who shot Coleman, though he claimed he panicked and did not intend to kill him. In January 2025, a Gwinnett County jury found David Booker, Miles Collins, and Josiah Hughley guilty on all counts, including felony murder, aggravated assault, and gang-related charges. The three men were subsequently sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The verdict brought a measure of justice to the family of Bradley Coleman, a man remembered as a dedicated father, a respected coach, and a positive influence in his community.
