Marlo Jefferson remembers being at Village Creek Park in southeast Fort Worth with her friend, Dominique Coleman, a few times.
“He was so dedicated, he was solid. He was loyal. He was there,” said Jefferson, treasurer of DFW Ryderz Car Club.
Their car club had held community events at the park for neighbors and kids, and Coleman was always there to help out.
“He was quiet, but he did it. He made it happen. Whenever we called on him to do anything, he was there,” said Jefferson, who’d known Coleman since the club started 12 years ago.
On Sunday, though, she sat at a table without him.
Coleman died less than a mile away earlier that morning, while working as a security guard at Club New Start Bar N Restaurant on Miller Avenue.
Fort Worth Police said they were called to the area around 5:45 a.m.
They said a preliminary investigation showed that Coleman went across the street and started talking to someone when a “confrontation ensued.”
Police said a suspect shot Coleman, who died at the scene.
They said another woman was shot with minor injuries.
Investigators said they’re still trying to figure out what led up to the fight and shooting.
They also said they’re still looking for the shooter, saying there may be more than one suspect.
Hours later, Coleman’s friends gathered in the area where he died to send a message to his employer.
“I’m protesting to get justice for my brother,” said Cliff Sparks, DFW Ryderz Car Club Vice President. “This is unacceptable. It’s too many killings, shootings, have been happening at 4505 Miller Avenue.”
Although Coleman was killed across the street from Club New Start, friends say there’s a pattern at that facility.
Police confirm they’ve been called there for shootings before.
“We know at least five people, and that’s at least five people over the past maybe five years,” said T.J. Ragster, a neighbor. “I’m tired of seeing mothers having to bury their children. And children having to bury their parents. Because of violence.”
Friends are now calling on the community to demand some sort of change.
“We’re not trying to shut a black-owned business down. That’s not our motive. That’s not our play. But we also don’t want to see anymore of our young men and our young women in our community killed at this establishment,” Ragster said.
“It’s not the point to shut it down. But at some point, somebody’s got to step up and say, ‘Hey, what can I do to revamp this business? What can I do to make this a better environment for the people that’s coming to spend money at my bar, right?” Sparks added.
They say they know not everyone agrees with them.
“You’re wrong and we’re right. You should be standing with us, so we can become part of the solution. If yo’ure not part of the solution you’re always going to be part of the problem and that problem is going to continue to happen, until you stand with us,” said Felton Jenkins, DFW Ryderz Car club minister.
NBC 5 reached out several times but could not get a hold of Club New Start for comment on this story.
Police are asking anyone with information on this incident to contact the Fort Worth Police Department at 817-392-4222. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through Tarrant County Crime Stoppers by visiting 469tips.com or calling 817-469-8477.