According to multiple reports, former Southern University player Bradley Coleman died Sunday when three assailants attempted to carjack him in his hometown of Norcross, Georgia. The incident took place in a QuikTrip parking lot at the intersection of Peachtree Parkway and Peachtree Corners Circle in the Atlanta suburb.
Coleman, 29, played wide receiver for the Jaguars from 2012-16 and was a member of the 2013 Southwestern Athletic Conference championship team. Police say he was at the air pumps of filling the tires of his vehicle on Sunday afternoon when three people in a vehicle backed in beside him.
One of the assailants jumped into the driver’s seat of Coleman’s vehicle and he began to fight two of them off. During the struggle a driver of a third vehicle, unaware of the attempted carjacking underway, pulled up behind Coleman’s vehicle; the suspects crashed into that vehicle as they fled the scene. While leaving the scene one of the suspects fatally shot Coleman.
“The suspect got out of the victim’s vehicle, and one of the suspects shot the victim. Both suspects got back into their vehicle and drove off,” the Gwinnett County Police Department stated.
Gwinnett County Police say a search for the suspects is underway. They are interviewing witnesses and working to obtain surveillance video. At this time the identities of the suspects and their vehicle are unknown.
Another senseless tragedy that was committed because of guns. According to Gun Violence Archive, 23,515 deaths in 2022 are a result of guns. Access to these deadly weapons is far too easy. The reality is most Americans support common-sense gun laws, but our elected officials refuse to do the will of the people.
Coleman, a graduate of Norcross High School, was home for a visit according to his friends.
Norcross basketball coach Jesse McMillan asked that people pray for Coleman’s family.
“Pray for the family of Bradley Coleman. I can’t wrap my head around it. He was an incredible person, coach, and father. His character and leadership saved our season in 2011. And he did the same for everyone he met ever since. What a unreal tragedy. B-Rad you made us all better.”
Pray for the family of Bradley Coleman. I can't wrap my head around it. He was an incredible person, coach, and father. His character and leadership saved our season in 2011. And he did the same for everyone he met ever since. What a unreal tragedy. B-Rad you made us all better.
— Jesse McMillan (@NorcrossHoops) July 11, 2022
As news broke that he died, Norcross High School also issued a statement.
“It is with great sadness to share with the Norcross family that we lost a brother this weekend,” the high school posted. “Bradley Coleman was a friend, father and an ambassador of goodwill. We will keep everyone informed about any arrangements and ways to help support the family.”
Southern President and Chancellor Dennis J. Shields offered condolences via Twitter.
“On behalf of the Jaguar Nation, I offer sincere condolences to the family, teammates and other loved ones of Bradley Coleman, former Jaguar wide receiver. The Georgia native played on the @SouthernU_BR 2013 team that brought the #SWAC trophy home to #BatonRouge. #WeAreSouthern”
On behalf of the Jaguar Nation, I offer sincere condolences to the family, teammates and other loved ones of Bradley Coleman, former Jaguar wide receiver. The Georgia native played on the @SouthernU_BR 2013 team that brought the #SWAC trophy home to #BatonRouge. #WeAreSouthern pic.twitter.com/xvWmbeqfxV
— Dennis J. Shields (@SUSprez) July 11, 2022
A GoFundMe donation account has been set up for Coleman’s daughter and family. Many of the messages attached to the donations touched on the impact Coleman had on the lives of others. At last count the fund has received over $84,000.
