Jerry Trivon Coleman

In the early hours of September 13, 2016, the life of 31-year-old Jerry Trivon Coleman was tragically cut short in a burst of violence inside a crowded Fort Wayne, Indiana bar. A Black / African American male, Coleman was at the Sports and Spirits Bar on East Wayne Street when gunfire erupted at approximately 2:30 a.m. The chaotic scene left three men dead and two juveniles wounded, sending shockwaves through the local community.

The Allen County Coroner later confirmed that Jerry Trivon Coleman, along with Nicholas Lee Powers, 30, and Demario Laquan Burnett, 21, all succumbed to gunshot wounds. Their deaths were officially ruled as homicides. When Fort Wayne Police arrived at the scene, they were met with a frantic environment as patrons fled the establishment. Paramedics pronounced Coleman and the other two men dead at the scene. The two injured juveniles were transported to a local hospital and were reported to be in good condition.

The investigation into the triple homicide brought to light the troubled history of the Sports and Spirits Bar. Over the preceding decade, police had been summoned to the location 436 times for various incidents, including twelve shootings and seven stabbings. In the aftermath of the deadly shooting, the owner of the bar voluntarily surrendered the establishment's liquor license, leading to its permanent closure.

Despite the numerous witnesses present at the time of the shooting, the investigation has been met with challenges. While some reported hearing the gunshots and seeing an individual running from the bar, no specific suspect information has been released to the public. To date, no arrests have been made in connection with the murders of Jerry Trivon Coleman, Nicholas Lee Powers, and Demario Laquan Burnett. The case remains an open and ongoing investigation, leaving a void in the lives of the victims' families who continue to await justice and answers for the senseless loss of their loved ones.