In the early morning hours of September 29, 2023, a dispute between two groups at a business in White Plains, Maryland, ended in the tragic death of 36-year-old Paul Ernest Fleming. The incident, which also claimed the life of 27-year-old Mariah Termetrice Logan, unfolded at a business located in the 4700 block of Crain Highway.
An altercation of unknown origins took place inside the establishment, involving Paul Fleming and another man, later identified as 45-year-old James Fred Coffen of White Plains. Both men exited the business, at which point gunfire erupted, and Fleming was struck. During the shooting, a stray bullet penetrated the building and hit Mariah Logan, who was inside. Emergency services were called to the scene at approximately 12:02 a.m., where they found both Fleming and Logan with gunshot wounds. They were transported to a local hospital, but both succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced deceased.
Later that morning, detectives from the Charles County Sheriff's Office located and arrested James Fred Coffen at a residence. He was subsequently charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and other related offenses. A second suspect, 54-year-old Dominique Alonza Stewart, was later arrested in Virginia in connection with the fatal double shooting and also charged with murder. Coffen is currently being held at the Charles County Detention Center awaiting a court appearance as the investigation continues.
