In the early morning hours of September 23, 2018, the life of 20-year-old Gabriel Perez of Fargo, North Dakota, was tragically cut short. Perez, a male, was sitting on a curb outside a McDonald's on Main Avenue when a dark-colored Chevrolet Trailblazer approached. The driver of the vehicle opened fire, striking Perez multiple times in what appeared to be a targeted attack. Despite being wounded, Perez managed to run a short distance before collapsing. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The shooter fled, sparking an intense manhunt.
The investigation quickly led law enforcement to a suspect, 44-year-old Miguel Jay Cooley Sr. of Moorhead, Minnesota. The day after the shooting, authorities tracked Cooley to a residence in Mower County, Minnesota. A SWAT team surrounded the home, and Cooley surrendered without incident. Investigators later revealed that the motive for the killing was believed to be jealousy, stemming from a relationship Cooley's wife had with Perez. Witnesses had reportedly heard Cooley admit to the shooting. The Chevrolet Trailblazer used in the crime was recovered in Moorhead.
Following his arrest, Miguel Cooley was charged with the murder of Gabriel Perez. In August 2019, he pleaded guilty to a charge of intentional murder to avoid a trial. In January 2020, a judge sentenced Cooley to 35 years in prison for the drive-by shooting. In addition to his prison term, he was also sentenced to serve 10 years of supervised probation upon his release.
