In the heart of Louisville’s Russell neighborhood, where rows of historic homes line narrow streets and community pride runs deep, a brutal act of violence shattered the spring quiet on April 13, 2025. That evening, near the intersection of West Chestnut Street and Dr. W.J. Hodge Street, gunfire erupted—a volley that would end the life of Wayne Woods, a local man whose story is now etched in grief.
What began as another instance of Louisville’s stubborn cycle of gun violence quickly became the focus of an intensive investigation by the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD). Now, after months of piecing together witness accounts, surveillance footage, and forensic evidence, police have made three arrests.
Two of the suspects—Maurice Heard and Joseph Coggins—are facing serious charges connected to the murder of Woods. A third man, Lawon Bartlett, was taken into custody alongside Coggins but currently faces only drug-related charges.
The arrests bring long-awaited movement in a case that had, until recently, left Woods’ family and friends wondering if justice would ever come.
April 13: A Fatal Encounter on West Chestnut
It was shortly after dusk when neighbors in Russell reported hearing a series of gunshots near the corner of West Chestnut and Dr. W.J. Hodge streets. Some thought it might have been fireworks. Others instinctively hit the ground or ducked behind furniture.
Within moments, 911 calls flooded dispatch. Police and emergency medical responders were on the scene within minutes.
There, they found Wayne Woods, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite efforts by paramedics to stabilize him, Woods was pronounced dead at the scene. He was declared a homicide victim by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office later that evening.
In the immediate aftermath, detectives canvassed the area, speaking with neighbors and reviewing footage from nearby security cameras. Although no suspects were immediately named, sources within the department described the case as “active and high-priority.”
A Complex Conspiracy: How Maurice Heard and Joseph Coggins Were Identified
According to court records obtained by local media, investigators believe the killing was not a random act but rather part of a coordinated plan involving multiple vehicles and suspects.
Maurice Heard, police allege, was driving the vehicle from which the shooter emerged. His criminal history includes previous felony convictions, and at the time of the incident, he was under a Kentucky emergency protection order (EPO) related to a domestic violence case, adding another layer of legal violation.
Meanwhile, Joseph Coggins was allegedly driving a separate vehicle behind Heard, acting in a coordinated pursuit or surveillance of the victim. Prosecutors argue this establishes a case for complicity to murder, a charge that can carry the same penalties as the shooter himself under Kentucky law.
Court filings describe the operation as “calculated” and “deliberate,” suggesting that Woods may have been targeted in connection with an ongoing dispute or retaliation effort—though police have not disclosed a precise motive.
Who Was Wayne Woods?
Little has been publicly released about the background of Wayne Woods, the 39-year-old victim of this fatal shooting. According to community members who gathered for a candlelight vigil in late April, Woods was known as a “quiet but loyal” presence in the Russell neighborhood.
“He stayed to himself, but if you needed help with something, he’d be there,” said lifelong friend Marcus Benson. “He didn’t deserve to die like that—nobody does.”
Several speakers at the vigil urged an end to neighborhood violence and called on city officials to address the root causes—poverty, guns, and a sense of hopelessness that they say continues to fuel street-level conflict.
The Arrests: A Timeline of Justice in Motion
The arrest of Maurice Heard and Joseph Coggins was not an overnight breakthrough, but the culmination of months of investigative work. Law enforcement sources say both suspects were known to police, and that evidence began pointing toward their involvement within weeks of the shooting.
In the early morning hours of July 5, LMPD and federal agents executed a series of arrest warrants. Heard was taken into custody without incident. Coggins, however, was arrested alongside a third man, Lawon Bartlett, who now faces only drug charges.
Detectives seized multiple firearms, phones, and controlled substances during the operation. These items, investigators believe, may yield further insight into the motive behind the shooting or help solidify the chain of evidence in court.
Charges Filed: Murder, Complicity, and Firearms Violations
The charges against each suspect reflect their alleged roles:
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Maurice Heard:
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Murder
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Possession of a handgun by a convicted felon
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Violation of a Kentucky Emergency Protection Order (EPO)
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Joseph Coggins:
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Complicity to Murder
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Multiple drug-related charges, including possession with intent to distribute
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Lawon Bartlett:
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Drug-related charges only; not implicated in the shooting at this time
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All three men are scheduled for arraignment on Friday, and bond determinations will be set by a Jefferson County judge.
Legal experts note that the complicity to murder charge against Coggins may hinge on proving that he knew Heard’s intent and facilitated the crime through his actions. If successful, prosecutors could pursue a life sentence.
A Neighborhood on Edge: Russell’s Long Fight Against Violence
The Russell neighborhood is no stranger to hardship—or to resilience. Long marked by underinvestment and systemic inequality, Russell has been the subject of redevelopment efforts aimed at stabilizing housing, reducing crime, and increasing economic opportunity.
Still, many residents feel they remain vulnerable to violence that continues to erupt in their streets.
“This was our worst fear,” said a local pastor who asked not to be named. “Someone dies in broad daylight, and no one knows who did it or why. Then months later, we find out it was people we see walking down the street.”
Heard and Coggins, according to some community members, were familiar names. Neither were seen as leaders in the community, but their presence in the area was noted by neighbors.
The Legal Process Ahead: Trials, Evidence, and Justice for Wayne Woods
As the case proceeds through the court system, all eyes will be on the Jefferson County Commonwealth’s Attorney and the strength of the evidence against Heard and Coggins.
Key elements expected to be introduced include:
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Surveillance footage placing both vehicles near the scene
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Cellphone GPS and communication records
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Witness statements from residents and potential informants
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Forensic evidence including shell casings and ballistics
The role of Bartlett, though minor in this case, may also be revisited should investigators uncover any involvement beyond drug activity.
A City at a Crossroads: Calls for Action After the Killing of Wayne Woods
In the wake of the arrests, local organizations have called for a doubling of community investment in crime prevention, particularly in neighborhoods like Russell. Proposals include:
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Expanding violence interruption programs
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Restoring youth employment and mentorship initiatives
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Funding mental health services and addiction recovery
Mayor Craig Greenberg issued a brief statement commending the LMPD’s investigation, while urging the public to “stand with the families affected by gun violence and work toward lasting solutions.”
For Woods’ family, however, those words may offer little solace just yet. “We want justice, yes,” said his cousin Tameka Woods. “But more than that, we want peace in our streets. I’m tired of lighting candles for our sons.”
Conclusion: Remembering a Life, Confronting a Crisis
The arrests of Maurice Heard and Joseph Coggins mark a turning point in a murder case that left a family broken and a community reeling. But for Louisville—and particularly for the Russell neighborhood—the killing of Wayne Woods is not an isolated tragedy. It’s part of a broader crisis that demands not just arrests, but answers, healing, and change.
As the court proceedings unfold, Woods’ name will be spoken again in legal motions, opening statements, and—perhaps—closing arguments. But outside the courtroom, his name also echoes in candlelight vigils, in the quiet resolve of grieving loved ones, and in the firm belief that justice must mean more than punishment—it must mean prevention.