Crime & Safety
California Cops Kill Suspect in Fatal Shooting of Wantagh Native
Aaron Bassler was wanted by police for killing Wantagh High School graduate Matthew Coleman and a California City Councilman.
A suspect in the Aug. 11 shooting death of Wantagh native Matthew Coleman was shot and killed during a police manhunt in Northern California Saturday, according to published reports.
Aaron Bassler – who was wanted by police for the fatal shooting of graduate Matthew Coleman on Aug. 11 and Fort Bragg, Calif. City Councilman Jere Melo on Aug. 27 -- was shot seven times by police during a manhunt for the suspect Saturday about six miles from Fort Bragg, the Associated Press reported.
Coleman, 45, grew up in Wantagh and was active in a youth group at , according to Newsday. His father, Roger Coleman of Levittown, told Newsday he is relieved that his son’s killer is no longer a danger to others.
A memorial service for Coleman is scheduled at Christ Lutheran Church in Wantagh on Nov. 6.
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