Dyrek Coleman, a 34-year-old African American male, was tragically shot and killed on January 19, 2021, at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Skokie, Illinois. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office ruled his death a homicide. Coleman, known affectionately as "DC" and "Nunu," was the youngest of three brothers and a father of three children. He had studied music at Columbia College and had moved to Atlanta before returning to Evanston to be closer to his family.
On the day of the incident,
Coleman and a friend arrived at the hotel room around 3:30 p.m., where several people were already gathered, including Patrick Jenkins, a 24-year-old male from Evanston. The group was reportedly drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana, and listening to music. An argument broke out between Jenkins and Coleman about 15 minutes after a video of their gathering was posted on social media. The argument, which was related to a lottery ticket and a previous murder, escalated quickly. Jenkins pulled out a 9 mm pistol and shot Coleman in the head while he was sitting on a bed. After Coleman fell to the ground, Jenkins shot him four more times in the head.
Following the shooting, Jenkins held a woman in a chokehold and threatened her with a gun before fleeing the scene. Jenkins was arrested on February 1, 2021, in Milwaukee by a U.S. Marshals Service task force. He was extradited to Illinois and charged with first-degree murder. At his initial court appearance, Jenkins was ordered held without bail. He was already awaiting trial in Cook County on a charge of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon following a July 2020 arrest.
The investigation into Coleman's death was conducted by the Skokie police and the North Regional Major Crime Task Force. Despite the arrest and charges, the case has continued to unfold, with Cook County prosecutors working to build their case against Jenkins. The tragic loss of Dyrek Coleman has left a significant impact on his family and community, who remember him for his musical talent and dedication to his loved ones.
