Martin Coleman, a 27-year-old African American man from Chicago, Illinois, was tragically killed on August 23, 2020. The incident occurred in the Lawndale neighborhood on the West Side of Chicago. According to reports, Martin Coleman was involved in an argument around 6:20 a.m. in the 1800 block of South Komensky Avenue when he was shot in the chest and pelvis. He was immediately taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Cook County medical examiner's office confirmed that he died from his gunshot wounds, and his death was ruled a homicide.
The investigation into Martin Coleman's death revealed that the shooting was connected to a domestic dispute. Edmond Barlow, also 27 years old, was charged with the murder of Martin Coleman. Barlow was reportedly wearing a GPS bracelet from a pending domestic battery case at the time of the incident. The events leading up to the shooting involved a complex relationship between Barlow, his girlfriend, and Martin Coleman. Barlow's girlfriend had recently started dating him, but she had previously been in a relationship with Martin Coleman for three years.
In the days before the shooting, Martin Coleman had punched the woman in the face during an argument in their shared apartment. Following this altercation, the woman left the apartment to stay with her cousin and later called Barlow to give her a ride. On the day of the shooting, Barlow and the woman attended a party in Maywood. Throughout the day, Coleman sent text messages to the woman, initially apologizing but later starting another argument. When the woman showed Barlow the texts, he warned her that Coleman better not try anything while he was around.
Upon returning to the woman's apartment early in the morning, Barlow and the woman ensured that Coleman was not home before falling asleep. However, about an hour later, the woman woke up to find Coleman standing in the doorway of the bedroom. Barlow, who had a gun on a nightstand, immediately grabbed it and fired two shots at Coleman, hitting him in the armpit and hip area. Coleman was unarmed and had not made any threatening movements towards the pair when he was shot. After the shooting, Barlow gathered his belongings, instructed the woman to call 911, and fled the scene by jumping out of a window.
Barlow was subsequently arrested and charged with Martin Coleman's murder. He was held without bail and was expected to appear in court on September 23, 2020. The case highlighted the tragic consequences of domestic violence and the complexities of relationships entangled with past and present conflicts. The investigation into Martin Coleman's death continues as authorities seek to bring justice to the victim and his family.
