Nikko Muhammad Mason Coates, 19 of Mechanicsville
UPDATE 4/4/2022: St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney Richard Fritz announces that on March 30, 2022, Nikko Mason-Coates, 21, was found guilty by a St. Mary’s County jury of First Degree Assault, Second Degree Assault, and Use of a Firearm during the commission of a Felony/Crime of Violence.
Mr. Fritz would like to thank Assistant State’s Attorney Sean Moran for the successful prosecution of this case and also the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Department for their exemplary police work generally; more specifically, Mr. Fritz would like to thank CPL Austin Schultz, lead investigator; SGT Brian Fennessy; CPL James Bare; and DFC Daniel Sidorowicz for their participation in this trial to secure Mr. Mason-Coates’ conviction.
Mr. Mason-Coates has been remanded to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center pending the preparation of a pre-sentence investigation. Mr. Mason-Coates faces the possibility of 45 years of incarceration for his shooting of a young man in the Wildewood neighborhood on June 12, 2020, and it is expected that his sentencing will be in May of 2022.
UPDATE – Sheriff’s Office Press Release: During the course of the investigation by detectives from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, Nikko Muhammad Mason Coates, 19 of Mechanicsville, was identified as the suspect responsible for the shooting.
Investigation determined on June 12, 2020 the victim confronted Coates about property that Coates had stolen. During the confrontation, Coates shot the victim in the abdomen and fled the scene.
On June 24, 2020, Coates was located in Lexington Park and arrested. Coates was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown and charged with the following:
- Attempted 1st Degree Murder
- Attempted 2nd Degree Murder
- Armed Robbery
- Robbery
- Loaded Handgun in Vehicle
- Handgun in Vehicle
- Firearm Use/Violent Crime
- Assault 1st Degree
- Assault 2nd Degree
- Theft
Coates remains incarcerated at the detention center on a no-bond status.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Detective Austin Schultz at (301) 475-4200 extension 71953 or by email at [email protected].
UPDATE – Sheriff’s Office Press Release: On June 12, 2020, at approximately 8:30 p.m., deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 23000 block of Sugar Maple Court in California, for the reported shooting.
A male victim, age 19 of Mechanicsville, was located on scene and determined to have sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen. The victim was transported via helicopter to an area trauma center for treatment.
Citizens may remain anonymous and contact Crime Solvers at (301) 475-3333, or text a tip to “TIP239” plus their message to “CRIMES” (274637). Through the Crime Solvers Program tipsters are eligible for an award of up to $1,000 for information about a crime in St. Mary’s County that leads to an arrest or indictment.
6/12/2020: On Friday, June 12, 2020, at approximately 8:30 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to Sugar Maple Court in California, for the reported gunshot victim.
Crews arrived on the scene to find a reported 19-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the chest.
Emergency medical personnel transported the patient to Maryland State Police Aviation Hangar in Hollywood where Trooper 7 transported the patient to an area trauma center.
At this time, no suspect description is available, police are currently on the scene and actively investigating the incident.
Updates will be provided when they become available.
Use caution in the area of Sugar Maple Court and Wildewood Parkway due to a large police presence.
