Robert Burdette, a 29-year-old man from Dayton, Ohio, tragically died on November 10, 2018. He was born on February 24, 1989, to Robert McGee and Windy Burdette. Robert Burdette was involved in an altercation at the Ashwood Lounge in Dayton on November 7, 2018. During the altercation, Steven Coleman, a 50-year-old security guard, punched Burdette in the head and then shot him in the head with a .40 caliber handgun.
Burdette was taken off life support three days later and succumbed to his injuries.
Steven Coleman was subsequently arrested and charged with murder. The case went to trial, and Coleman was found guilty of three counts of murder, two counts of felonious assault, two counts of having weapons under disability, tampering with evidence, and discharge of a firearm on or near prohibited premises. Coleman was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison.
The incident began when Burdette and his cousin arrived at the Ashwood Lounge, reportedly intoxicated and armed. Security guards attempted to take the weapon away, leading to a confrontation. Coleman intervened in the dispute, escalating it into a deadly altercation. Coleman's defense argued that Burdette and his cousin provoked Coleman, leading him to act out of rage and anger.
The tragic death of Robert Burdette and the subsequent legal proceedings highlight the severe consequences of violence and the importance of conflict resolution. Coleman's conviction and sentencing serve as a reminder of the justice system's role in addressing such incidents and providing closure for the victims' families.
