Adam J. Coppa was 32 when he was killed during a large prison riot at the Arizona State Prison Complex–Yuma in San Luis on the night of March 1, 2018. The disturbance began when an inmate who appeared to be under the influence tried to assault officers while being escorted across the recreation yard. That inmate fled, a pursuit followed, and a significant number of prisoners joined the confrontation, attacking guards and setting fires.

During the chaotic uprising Coppa sustained a fatal gunshot wound; a preliminary autopsy confirmed the cause of death as a gunshot. The Arizona Department of Corrections confirmed the death and said the facility was secured while a longer-term investigation into the circumstances of the shooting continued. No specific suspects or arrests connected to Coppa’s death had been publicly identified at that time.

If anyone has information about what happened in the yard that night or about Coppa’s movements during the disturbance, please share what is known.