LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville police said a months-long investigation that involved cameras, tips and tactical takedowns led them to arresting three men in connection to a fatal Russell neighborhood shooting.
The Louisville Metro Police Department responded April 13 to a shooting in the 2000 block of West Chestnut Street, near Dr. W. J. Hodge Street, around 8:30 p.m. When police arrived at the scene, they found a man who had been shot multiple times.
The man was taken to University of Louisville Hospital, but he died a short time later. The victim was identified as Wayne Woods.
Police said 22-year-old Maurice Heard, 41-year-old Joseph Coggins and 38-year-old Lawon Bartlett were arrested as a result of the homicide investigation.
LMPD said Wednesday the victim wasn't a stranger to officers but the department still poured every resource into the case.
"The victim was in his vehicle driving down West Chestnut, and when he stopped at a red light, and the suspect vehicle approached next to him and opened fire on him," LMPD Det. Lindsay Lynch said.
LMPD said Heard and Coggins were behind the ambush and drove separate vehicles as part of a coordinated attack.
It took dozens of surveillance cameras, help from the Real Time Crime Center, and tips from local businesses to piece together what happened.
"I would say probably between 20 and 30 cameras from RTCC and Flock but then local businesses assisted us, which was a huge help to us," Lynch said.
Last week, detectives observed a vehicle being driven by Coggins with Bartlett in the passenger seat. Police conducted a takedown of the vehicle in the area of Seelbach and Lentz avenues.
A search of the vehicle uncovered a substance believed to be cocaine in plastic baggies, a large quantity of pills believed to be ecstasy, blue pills believed to be fentanyl, and more cocaine.
Police also found a yellow bag containing more suspected ecstasy pills. Officers found bags full of cash and plastic baggies, leading them to believe Coggins and Bartlett were trafficking and selling narcotics.
Heard has been charged with complicity to murder, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and violation of an EPO/DVO. Coggins was charged with complicity to murder, trafficking in a controlled substance and resisting arrest. Bartlett was charged with trafficking in a controlled substance and resisting arrest.
No one has been charged yet with shooting Woods.
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