Dakota Ontaria Moore Jr., a 30-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on April 21, 2019, in Ivanhoe, North Carolina. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning at a residence located at 3460 Halfway Branch School Road. According to reports, the Pender County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a 911 call reporting shots fired at the scene. Upon arrival, they discovered the bodies of Dakota Ontaria Moore Jr. and Marcus Lamont Coleman, a 36-year-old male from Castle Hayne.
The investigation revealed that Jamie Dante Coleman, a 31-year-old male from Atkinson, was responsible for the shooting. Jamie Coleman turned himself in to authorities on first-degree murder charges and was held without bail. The motive behind the shooting was linked to a family dispute, as Marcus Coleman was Jamie's brother. Additionally, Eric Jamel Pigford, a 36-year-old male from Burgaw and the first cousin of the Coleman brothers, was also charged with first-degree murder in connection with the incident.
The case proceeded to trial, with jury selection beginning in July 2021. Jamie Coleman faced first-degree murder charges, but the state did not pursue the death penalty. The trial was expected to provide clarity on the events leading up to the tragic incident. Eric Jamel Pigford's charges remained pending, with his next court date scheduled for August 13, 2021.
The double homicide left the community in shock, as the chaotic crime scene was described in several 911 calls. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots and seeing people fleeing the area. The investigation into the deaths of Dakota Ontaria Moore Jr. and Marcus Lamont Coleman highlighted the complexities of family dynamics and the devastating consequences of violence.
