On October 17, 2023, Chadrick Zachary Jamal Coats, a 21-year-old from Pembroke Pines, Florida, lost his life due to gunfire. The incident occurred at a GameStop store located on Pines Blvd in Pembroke Pines. Coats had entered the store and requested assistance from the manager, Derrick Guerrero, to retrieve a pack of “Ultra-Premium” Pokémon cards. While Guerrero was occupied, Coats took the opportunity to steal merchandise from behind the front counter.
As Coats attempted to flee with the stolen items, Guerrero, who was armed with a gun he had in his waistband, shot Coats. Despite the immediate response from law enforcement, Coats was pronounced dead at the scene. It was later confirmed by the police that Coats was not armed and did not threaten Guerrero in any way.
Following the incident, Guerrero was charged with manslaughter and held in jail with a bail set at $25,000. He was later released on bond with the condition of wearing a GPS monitor. Guerrero, a 33-year-old former Marine who had been working at GameStop to support his family, expressed remorse for his actions. He stated that he did not intend for the situation to escalate to the point of taking Coats' life and felt guilty for the impact on Coats' family.
During the trial, it was revealed that Guerrero had purchased the gun due to previous robberies at the GameStop store. His defense highlighted his past service in the Marines and his current role as a family provider. Despite these circumstances, the court emphasized the seriousness of the incident and the need for Guerrero to be monitored while on bail.
Chadrick Zachary Jamal Coats was born on June 29, 2002, and his funeral services were provided by Hall - Ferguson - Hewitt Mortuary in Miami, Florida. His death has been mourned by his community, highlighting the tragic consequences of the incident.
