In the afternoon of August 13, 2020, a young man named Robert Coughlin, 23, placed a harrowing 911 call from his home in Nashville, Tennessee. He reported that he had been shot by two men inside his apartment located in the 600 block of Shelby Avenue. When police arrived, they found him unresponsive on the fire escape. Paramedics rushed him to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, but his life could not be saved.
Investigators believe the motive for the fatal shooting was robbery.
Evidence discovered within the apartment indicated that a struggle had taken place before Coughlin was shot, suggesting he fought for his life. Authorities also believe that he was likely acquainted with his assailants. Shortly after the shooting, two young Black men were seen fleeing the scene in a silver sedan.
As the investigation progressed, detectives identified a person of interest they wished to question in connection with the murder. Evan Smith-Erving, 23, was named as the registered owner of a silver Mercedes-Benz C320 that was observed leaving the immediate area around the time of the shooting. The police publicly asked for any information on the whereabouts of Smith-Erving and his vehicle.
Despite law enforcement's efforts and what they described as strong leads in the initial stages of the investigation, the case has since gone cold. No arrests have been publicly announced, and the murder of Robert Coughlin remains unsolved. The Nashville Police Department's Cold Case Homicide Unit continues to seek information from the public that might lead to a resolution in the case.
