Mitchell Coleman Jr., a 44-year-old African American male, was tragically killed on September 9, 2015, in Madison, Illinois. On that day, police responded to a report of shots fired in the 1000 block of Washington Avenue. Upon arrival, they discovered Mitchell Coleman Jr. inside his black Chevy pickup truck, having been shot multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The Madison Police Department quickly requested the assistance of the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis to investigate this homicide.
The investigation led to the arrest of James Allen Moore, a 23-year-old male, who was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Moore was accused of firing more than a dozen shots into Coleman's vehicle, resulting in his death. The bond for Moore was set at $250,000. The case against Moore progressed through the legal system, and in August 2018, he was sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree murder and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. This plea agreement included 20 years for the murder charge and an additional 20 years for the weapons charge, to be served consecutively.
During the plea hearing, it was revealed that Moore had been involved in another violent incident in 2017, while out on bail for the murder charge. He and a companion were shot while sitting in a car, resulting in the death of his companion and serious injuries to Moore. This incident highlighted the ongoing violence and danger associated with Moore, further justifying the lengthy prison sentence.
Mitchell Coleman Jr.'s death was a significant loss to his family and community. His sister, Felicia Coleman, spoke during the court proceedings, expressing her grief and the impact of her brother's death. She described Mitchell as a devoted father and condemned Moore's actions as cowardly. The case brought some closure to the family, but the pain of losing Mitchell Coleman Jr. remains a poignant reminder of the violence that took his life.
