In the early morning of October 14, 2020, Charles Jerome Barker, a 48-year-old Black man from Brentwood, was found lying on the ground in front of Fillmore Court in Coram, New York. Officers from the 6th Precinct responded to a 911 call around 6:30 a.m.; Barker had sustained a gunshot wound and was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

The Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad investigated the killing and pursued leads for months. On June 24, 2021, police announced an arrest: 27-year-old Dedrick Austin of Medford was charged with second-degree murder and held overnight at the 6th Precinct before arraignment at the First District Court in Central Islip. Motive and the nature of any relationship between Barker and Austin were not immediately disclosed.

If anyone knew Charles Barker or has information about what happened that morning, please share what might help the investigation.