Robert Cooley III, a 24-year-old Black man from Arlington, Texas, tragically lost his life on May 4, 2020. Cooley was fatally shot in the parking lot of an apartment complex on Bardin Greene Drive in Arlington. The incident occurred in the afternoon when the Arlington Police Department responded to a shooting call. Upon arrival, officers found Cooley with an apparent gunshot wound, and he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The investigation into Cooley's death revealed that the
shooting was a case of mistaken identity. Kendell Jerrell Morris, a 26-year-old man from Houston, had traveled to Arlington with the intent to confront his ex's new boyfriend. Morris mistakenly identified Cooley as his target and opened fire, killing him. Morris was later arrested and charged with murder. He was sentenced to 27 years in prison for the wrongful killing of Cooley.
In addition to Morris, another suspect, David Paul Jones, was arrested and charged in connection with Cooley's death. Jones was also charged with murder and was awaiting extradition to Tarrant County at the time of his arrest. The case highlighted the tragic consequences of mistaken identity and the devastating impact it had on Cooley's family and friends.
Robert Cooley III was remembered as an exceptional athlete and a talented artist with a passion for music and cooking. He had dreams of making it big in the music industry and was deeply loved by his family and friends. His untimely death left a void in the lives of those who knew him, and his memory continues to be cherished by his loved ones.
