LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Louisville Metro Police Department has announced the arrests of Maurice Heard, Joseph Coggins, and Lawon Bartlett following an extensive investigation into the April 13, 2025, fatal shooting of Wayne Woods in the city’s Russell neighborhood.
Officers responded around 8:30 p.m. to the 2000 block of West Chestnut Street, near Dr. W. J. Hodge Street, where they discovered Wayne Woods suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to University of Louisville Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Surveillance and Forensic Evidence Lead to Suspects
According to court records, detectives determined that Wayne Woods was targeted and followed by individuals in a stolen black Dodge Durango. Surveillance footage captured the SUV trailing Woods’ vehicle through the neighborhood. At a stoplight, a rear passenger exited the Durango and fired multiple rounds into Woods’ truck before fleeing the scene.
The Dodge Durango was later recovered abandoned. Investigators used surveillance video, vehicle telematics, and cellphone records to link the vehicle to 22-year-old Maurice Heard, who police believe was the driver of the SUV during the shooting. Authorities say Heard was in communication with another vehicle also tracking Woods at the time of the murder.
The second vehicle, a blue Dodge Ram, was driven by 41-year-old Joseph Coggins, who, according to phone records, was on a call with Heard when the shooting occurred. Coggins allegedly followed the Durango after the shooting and returned to move the vehicle later that night.
38-year-old Lawon Bartlett was also implicated in the investigation and was arrested alongside Coggins during a traffic stop.
Charges Filed
- Maurice Heard faces charges of:
- Complicity to Murder
- Possession of a Handgun by a Convicted Felon
- Violation of an Emergency Protective Order (EPO/DVO)
- Joseph Coggins has been charged with:
- Complicity to Murder
- Trafficking in a Controlled Substance
- Resisting Arrest
- Lawon Bartlett faces charges of:
- Trafficking in a Controlled Substance
- Resisting Arrest
SWAT Intervention and Drug Seizure
On July 4, police observed Coggins driving a vehicle with Bartlett in the passenger seat in the Seelbach and Lentz Avenues area. Officers attempted a traffic stop, but both suspects refused to exit the vehicle for roughly 30 minutes. SWAT officers ultimately intervened and took both men into custody.
A search of the vehicle revealed a large quantity of illegal narcotics, including suspected cocaine, ecstasy, and fentanyl, along with cash and drug packaging materials, leading investigators to believe the suspects were involved in drug trafficking.
Ongoing Investigation
At this time, no one has been directly charged with firing the fatal shots that killed Wayne Woods, but the arrests of Heard, Coggins, and Bartlett represent significant progress in the case. All three are expected to appear in court for formal proceedings.
LMPD continues to urge anyone with additional information regarding the murder of Wayne Woods to contact 574-LMPD or submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
The Louisville community and Woods’ family continue to seek closure as justice for Wayne Woods slowly unfolds.
Three Suspects Arrested in Connection to the Fatal Shooting of Wayne Woods in Louisville
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) has announced the arrests of Maurice Heard, Joseph Coggins, and Lawon Bartlett following an extensive investigation into the April 13, 2025, fatal shooting of Wayne Woods in the city’s Russell neighborhood.
Officers responded around 8:30 p.m. to the 2000 block of West Chestnut Street, near Dr. W. J. Hodge Street, where they discovered Wayne Woods suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to University of Louisville Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Surveillance and Forensic Evidence Lead to Suspects
According to court records, detectives determined that Wayne Woods was targeted and followed by individuals in a stolen black Dodge Durango. Surveillance footage captured the SUV trailing Woods’ vehicle through the neighborhood. At a stoplight, a rear passenger exited the Durango and fired multiple rounds into Woods’ truck before fleeing the scene.
The Dodge Durango was later recovered abandoned. Investigators used surveillance video, vehicle telematics, and cellphone records to link the vehicle to 22-year-old Maurice Heard, who police believe was the driver of the SUV during the shooting. Authorities say Heard was in communication with another vehicle also tracking Woods at the time of the murder.
The second vehicle, a blue Dodge Ram, was driven by 41-year-old Joseph Coggins, who, according to phone records, was on a call with Heard when the shooting occurred. Coggins allegedly followed the Durango after the shooting and returned to move the vehicle later that night.
38-year-old Lawon Bartlett was also implicated in the investigation and was arrested alongside Coggins during a traffic stop.
Charges Filed
- Maurice Heard faces charges of:
- Complicity to Murder
- Possession of a Handgun by a Convicted Felon
- Violation of an Emergency Protective Order (EPO/DVO)
- Joseph Coggins has been charged with:
- Complicity to Murder
- Trafficking in a Controlled Substance
- Resisting Arrest
- Lawon Bartlett faces charges of:
- Trafficking in a Controlled Substance
- Resisting Arrest
SWAT Intervention and Drug Seizure
On July 4, police observed Coggins driving a vehicle with Bartlett in the passenger seat in the Seelbach and Lentz Avenues area. Officers attempted a traffic stop, but both suspects refused to exit the vehicle for roughly 30 minutes. SWAT officers ultimately intervened and took both men into custody.
A search of the vehicle revealed a large quantity of illegal narcotics, including suspected cocaine, ecstasy, and fentanyl, along with cash and drug packaging materials, leading investigators to believe the suspects were involved in drug trafficking.
Ongoing Investigation
At this time, no one has been directly charged with firing the fatal shots that killed Wayne Woods, but the arrests of Heard, Coggins, and Bartlett represent significant progress in the case. All three are expected to appear in court for formal proceedings.
LMPD continues to urge anyone with additional information regarding the murder of Wayne Woods to contact 574-LMPD or submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
The Louisville community and Woods’ family continue to seek closure as justice for Wayne Woods slowly unfolds.