Bristol County District Attorney identifies shooting victim; remembered as great guy, genuine soul

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn, III has announced a homicide investigation related to a shooting death that occurred late last night in the City of New Bedford. 

New Bedford Police received a ShotSpotter alert at approximately 11:30 p.m. last evening for shots fired in the area of Acushnet Avenue and Russell Street. 

Upon arrival, New Bedford Police and EMS were able to locate the victim a short distance away on Russell Street, in his vehicle, a 2022 gray Honda Accord, suffering from several gunshot wounds. 

The victim was identified as 31-year-old Steven Coan of New Bedford.  Coan was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.

A friend of Coan told Fall River Reporter that “he was a great guy. Always there for the people he loved and cared about. Type of guy to stick his neck out for anybody if they needed it. Just a genuine soul trying to turn his life around for his family and kids.”

The homicide is under investigation by the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office along with New Bedford Police.  No further information was released.