A young father was killed Sunday at a Peachtree Corners gas station after a group of people attempted to steal his car and he fought back, police said.
Officers were called shortly after 12:30 p.m. to the QuikTrip at Peachtree Parkway and Peachtree Corners Circle and found 29-year-old Bradley Coleman with a gunshot wound, Gwinnett County police said in a news release. Investigators believe he was trying to put air in his tires when he was targeted by three people in a black four-door passenger vehicle.
While the victim was standing on the passenger side, the black vehicle backed in next to his car and one person climbed into the driver’s seat, according to police spokeswoman Sgt. Michele Pihera.
“Seeing what was happening, the victim then tried to stop his vehicle from being stolen,” Pihera said in the release. “The suspect and the victim engaged in a physical altercation when the victim entered through the passenger side. A second suspect got out of the vehicle and got involved.”
A third driver, not realizing what was happening, lined up behind the victim’s car to use the air pumps and blocked it in, she said. The suspects collided with the third vehicle before abandoning their effort.
“The suspect got out of the victim’s vehicle, and one of the suspects shot the victim,” Pihera said. “Both suspects got back into their vehicle and drove off.”
Coleman died at the scene.
Investigators believe the black vehicle left the QuikTrip headed south on Peachtree Parkway. No further description of the vehicle or the suspects was released.
Two of Coleman’s friends told Channel 2 Action News that he lived in Louisiana but was in town visiting his young daughter. The Norcross High School graduate was a former football coach at Peachtree Ridge High School and was working to launch his own clothing line, his friends said.
“I want the law enforcement community to bring these animals to justice,” John Lewis told the news station. “They took away a great young man.”
In a social media post, the Norcross football team said, “It is with great sadness to share with the Norcross family that we lost a brother this weekend. 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.”
A GoFundMe account has been set up to raise money for his daughter.
“To have known Bradley is to know laughter and light in this world,” the organizer wrote. “All funds go directly to his daughter ... Brad’s daughter was his whole world.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the police department at 770-513-5300. Tipsters can remain anonymous, and be eligible for rewards of up to $2,000, by contacting Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477, texting information to 274637 or visiting the Crime Stoppers website.
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