A child’s birthday party in Kalamazoo turned deadly on February 22, 2026, when 35-year-old Jamel Jonte-Jerome Coleman was shot in the 100 block of East Paterson Street. Police say a verbal argument between Coleman and another man escalated outside the venue, the other man produced a handgun and fired multiple shots. Coleman was struck and later died at a local hospital; a 33-year-old woman was also wounded and released after treatment.

Authorities identified 37-year-old Nelson Devon Cobas as the suspect and sought him on charges including open murder, assault with intent to murder and multiple firearm offenses. Cobas was taken into custody in Newaygo County on March 12, 2026, after an operation involving the U.S. Marshals Service and the Michigan State Police 6th District Fugitive Team. He was arraigned on a seven-count felony warrant and denied bond.

What did attendees see that afternoon on East Paterson Street, and can anyone who was at the party or nearby on February 22 help fill in the timeline?