Video shows ‘person of interest’ in shooting death of Plainfield merchant

New Jersey 101.5 video

PLAINFIELD — Prosecutors have released video footage of a “person of interest” wanted for questioning in the shooting death of a city restaurant owner on Thursday night.

Shamar Coleman, 32, was shot multiple times and left for dead Thursday evening before 6 p.m. outside his Seafood Rama restaurant on East Second Street.

The video shows a man dressed in bright blue pants, a two-toned hoodie and a cold-weather face mask.

No arrests have been made in this case. Investigators did not reveal a motive, if known.

Coleman’s slaying was the second homicide of the week and the city’s 12th this year — the highest in Union County. The county’s largest city, Elizabeth, saw half the homicides this year.

Friends noted that city police often patrolled the area of the restaurant but weren’t seen on the night of the shooting.

In message emailed to residents, Mayor Adrian Mapp lamented the violent crime plaguing the city, saying he is “determined to rid our streets of this scourge.”

“There are no easy answers, and I cannot promise you that this will happen overnight,” Mapp said. “What I can promise you is that I will work night and day with our law enforcement agency, we will collaborate with as many outside supporting agencies as we can, seek advice from every corner of the country if we have have to and we will not stop until this is stopped, here in our city.”

Anyone with information about the shooting or the man in the video should call Homicide Task Force Sgt. Jose Vendas at 908-358-3048 or Detective Richard Acosta at 908-347-0404.

The Union County Crime Stoppers also are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case. Tips can be given anonymously at 908-654-8477, or via text by starting the message with “UCTIP” to 274637, or online at www.uctip.org.

Sergio Bichao is deputy digital editor at New Jersey 101.5. Send him news tips: Call 609-438-1015 or email sergio.bichao@townsquaremedia.com.