In the early morning hours, a dispute that began in a car and spilled into the parking lot of a Braddock Hills bar culminated in the shooting death of 24-year-old William Coffey. The events leading to the fatal encounter reportedly started with an argument between Coffey and his girlfriend, the sister of the alleged shooter, as they were driving with another woman and the suspect. The argument escalated, causing the two women to exit the vehicle and walk to J Cats Bar & Grill on Wilkins Avenue.
Later, Coffey and the suspect, identified as 23-year-old Abdullaah Bin Francken, also arrived at the bar. The argument between Coffey and his girlfriend reignited in the parking lot. During this altercation, Coffey is said to have punched his girlfriend and torn her shirt. In response, she reportedly threw the car keys across the street. Shortly after, multiple gunshots were fired. Police were dispatched around 1:50 a.m. and found Coffey in the parking lot with multiple gunshot wounds to his head, neck, and torso. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators used witness interviews and surveillance footage to identify Abdullaah Bin Francken as the suspected shooter. The two men were known to each other, having reportedly been friends since they were in a juvenile detention facility together and had also been incarcerated at the same state prison. Francken had been paroled just seven months prior to the shooting. Following the incident, Francken allegedly fled into the woods.
Abdullaah Bin Francken was later arrested and charged with criminal homicide, as well as firearms-related offenses. He is being held in the Allegheny County Jail without bail. His preliminary hearing has been scheduled.
