On a late Sunday afternoon in Kalamazoo, Michigan, a child's birthday party turned into a scene of tragedy, forever altering the lives of those in attendance. It was on February 22, 2026, that 35-year-old Jamel Jonte-Jerome Coleman was fatally shot, his life cut short amidst a celebration. The incident unfolded in the 100 block of East Paterson Street, where a festive gathering was tragically interrupted by violence.
According to reports from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, a
verbal altercation erupted between Coleman and another man outside the party venue. The dispute quickly escalated, culminating in the other man drawing a handgun and firing multiple shots. Coleman was struck by the gunfire, and a 33-year-old woman was also wounded in the chaos. Both victims were rushed to a local hospital, where Coleman succumbed to his injuries. The female victim was treated for her injuries and subsequently released.
In the days following the shooting, law enforcement identified a suspect, 37-year-old Nelson Devon Cobas. The Kalamazoo County Prosecutor's Office issued a warrant for his arrest on several charges, including open murder, assault with intent to murder, and multiple firearm-related offenses. Authorities described Cobas as armed and dangerous and appealed to the public for information on his whereabouts, while also encouraging him to surrender.
The search for Cobas concluded on March 12, 2026, when he was taken into custody in Newaygo County. His arrest was the result of a collaborative effort between the United States Marshals Service and the Michigan State Police 6th District Fugitive Team. Following his arrest, Cobas was arraigned on a seven-count felony warrant connected to the deadly shooting. During his court appearance, he was denied bond. The charges against him now pave the way for a legal process to address the untimely death of Jamel Jonte-Jerome Coleman.
