Late on May 6, 2026, 31-year-old Steven Coan was found inside his 2022 gray Honda Accord on Russell Street in New Bedford after a ShotSpotter alert near Acushnet Avenue and Russell Street. Officers arrived around 11:30 p.m.; Coan had multiple gunshot wounds, was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital, and was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office said a homicide investigation is underway, with the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the DA and the New Bedford Police Department working the case. No motive or suspects have been publicly identified, and no arrests have been announced.

Friends described Coan as a devoted father and someone trying to turn his life around for his family. If anyone saw activity near Acushnet Avenue and Russell Street that night or has information about this shooting, please come forward.