Trenton family speaks out after father killed, 4 injured during shooting and crash
"My baby, my nephew," cried Carleen Coates-Russell. "He loves everybody. He would just give and give and give."
A Trenton family is now shattered after 41-year-old Andrew Coates was shot and killed on Friday night after dropping someone off.
Coates-Russell said his four children were his world.
"He was a very great dad," said Coates-Russell. "He loved his kids more than how he loved himself. He lived for his kids."
Trenton police said they responded to Spruce Street and Ohio Avenue just before 11:30 p.m. for a shots fired alert. As two officers approached a man next to a double-parked Volvo, Coates crashed into the Volvo.
"I heard a tremendous crash and people screaming," said Dennis O'Reilly, who lives nearby.
Police said the force of the impact caused the Volvo to careen into the officers, the driver of the parked car, and patrol vehicle.
Officers then discovered Coates was shot, and he collapsed on the street.
"I've never seen that much of a police presence in this neighborhood in my life," said O'Reilly.
Everyone was taken to the hospital for treatment, where Coates later died. Police said a 34-year-old man also arrived with a gunshot wound to his knee.
Back in the neighborhood, detectives found a house and two other vehicles with bullet holes. One owner said she heard several shots.
"I'm sad today," said the car owner. "Not sad for my car, I'm sad for everybody."
Especially the Coates, who are now missing an irreplaceable piece of their family.
"People just fall in love with him," said Coates-Russell. "He's a great person. So, anybody just need to just say what happened. We just need to know why. How could a person do that to a person like my nephew? He didn't deserve this."
Police said no arrests have been made at this time.
Anyone with information is asked to contact MCHTF Detective Jennifer Eyster at (609) 789-7346 or Sgt. Roberto Reyes at (609) 256-0997. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online at www.mercercountyprosecutor.com.
