Za’Shawn Alexander Sylva Coats was 15 and a sophomore at Jefferson High School when he was killed on January 21, 2019, in Rockford, Illinois. Walking with friends near Kent and Ferguson Streets, Za’Shawn was approached by 27-year-old Juan Mora, who questioned the group about gang affiliation. After the boys denied membership, Mora fired two shots in their direction; one struck Za’Shawn and proved fatal.

Investigators determined the shooting was gang-related. Rockford Police, aided by community tips and video surveillance, identified and arrested Juan Mora on January 25, 2019. Witness cooperation was a key part of building the case. In May 2021 Mora was found guilty of first-degree murder and three counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm and later received a 65-year prison sentence: 55 years for the murder and 10 years for the firearm counts.

Za’Shawn was remembered as fun and loving. Does anyone who knew him or saw activity in that neighborhood around January 21, 2019 have information to share?