On November 27, 2024, 24-year-old San Bernardino County Probation Officer Johnathan Coutee Jr. was found unresponsive at the San Bernardino Juvenile Court located at 900 E. Gilbert Street. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene. The circumstances surrounding his death were initially unclear, with reports indicating that a shooting had occurred at the court around the time of his passing.
Subsequent information clarified that Coutee's death was a result of suicide.
A family member disclosed that he ended his own life on November 27. A GoFundMe page was established in his memory to assist with immediate expenses and to create a scholarship fund at the jujitsu studio where he trained.
Coutee had been employed with the San Bernardino County Probation Department since May 18, 2024. The department did not provide further details regarding his death. It remains unclear whether he was on duty at the time of the incident.
As this case was determined to be a suicide, there were no suspects or arrests associated with Coutee's death. The San Bernardino Police Department and the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department were involved in the initial response and investigation.
The loss of Officer Coutee has been deeply felt by his family, colleagues, and community. He was remembered as a loving, kind, affectionate, and respectful individual. The GoFundMe page set up in his honor reflects the impact he had on those who knew him and the desire to continue his legacy through the scholarship fund.
