WANTED!
THE MURDERER(S) OF

John Earl Cole
Roswell, NM
Case# 20010720-26812

On the evening of 07/20/2001 John Cole and his friends were driving through the Sonic Drive-In parking lot located at 624 N. Main.  It was customary at that time for teenagers to "cruise" through the Sonic parking lot.

As the vehicle John was in began traveling east in the parking lot, shots were fired at the Sonic parking lot.  Shots being fired were from a westerly direction.  More then one vehicle traveling in the Sonic parking lot sustained gunshot damage, including the vehicle John was in.  John was hit by a single bullet and died from injuries caused by the bullet.

In the course of the police investigation bullet casings were located in the alley immediately west of the Sonic Parking lot.

Investigators believe that John was not the target of the shooting.  Investigation indicates that rival gang members were in the area of the parking lot and the fired shots were intended for a rival gang member.

John Cole was not simply a victim of circumstance by being at the wrong place at the wrong time.  John Cole was enjoying the life that any person in our country is entitled to when he was murdered.

There has been extensive investigation conducted in this case, however investigators  believe that there are persons who have information that can bring a conclusion to this case.

If you or anyone you know has information about this murder we urge you to help.  You may contact Detective John Wayne Davis at the Roswell Police Department (505-624-6770), Janice Schryer at the Chaves County District Attorney's Office (505-622-4121), call the Chavez County Crimestoppers at 505-624-6513, or email us.  Callers do not need to reveal their identity, but investigators would prefer to speak directly to individuals with information, either in person or via telephone.

Any information about this murder, as insignificant as it seems, may be important!

Please click here to view a memorial page for John Earl Cole.