On Wednesday, January 15, New Jersey's Mercer County Tactical Response Team entered a home and apprehended 51-year-old Orenthia Upshur, who appeared to have barricaded himself in the home after allegedly shooting his girlfriend, 49-year-old Maisha Coon, to death in a Pennsylvania hotel room. There is reason to suspect Upshur also intended to hurt the family of Coon.

According to police, family members of Coon indicated the couple had been involved in domestic disputes in the days leading up to the alleged homicide. In such instances, it's very important that anyone who fears for their safety understands the steps they can take to protect themselves, such as getting a restraining order (RO).

At the Lento Law Firm Family Law Team, we can assist you in obtaining an RO if doing so is necessary for your health and safety. Learn more about this topic by submitting your case information via our online form or by calling our offices at 888-535-3686.

Domestic Disputes End in Murder: A Timeline of the Case

The following timeline, based on initial media reports, provides essential information about this tragic case:

• On Wednesday, January 15, Upshur allegedly called a relative to tell them he shot Coon in a hotel room in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.
• Officers traced Coon's cell phone and started searching hotel rooms in the area. Upon learning Coon had rented a room at a Bensalem Sleep Inn, they entered the room, where they discovered Coon's body. According to police, surveillance footage captured images of Upshur fleeing the scene with a handgun.
• Around this time, officers in Trenton responded to a now seemingly related 911 call involving a suspect apparently firing a gun from a pickup truck at or near an Uber at Parkside Avenue and Oak Lane. Although bullets appeared to strike the Uber, neither the driver nor the passenger was harmed.
• As officers attempted to discern the exact source of the gunfire, another 911 call indicated a burglary appeared to be in progress on Oak Lane. Per the caller, a man who may have been armed appeared to be trying to enter the home.

This resulted in police surrounding the home, where Upshur had allegedly barricaded himself. After police successfully apprehended Upshur, Bucks County D.A. Jennifer Schorn released a statement indicating Upshur had apparently expressed intentions to harm Coon's family.

It's important to note that violence crossed state lines in this case. From our NJ offices, our team understands that domestic violence doesn't restrict itself to the home.

A Restraining Order Isn't Just for Intimate Partners

Again, statements from family members suggest Coon and Upshur may have been fighting for days before this tragedy. Both Coon and her family might have had the option of getting a RO in this scenario.

Although obtaining an RO is certainly a way to protect oneself from harm when involved in a dating relationship with a potentially violent individual, it's also important to understand that ROs aren't solely for intimate partners. One can obtain an RO against a family member, neighbor, or other such party who may be threatening them in some capacity.

Our Family Law Team at the Lento Law Firm can review your case and help you better understand if obtaining an RO is an option in your circumstances. We can also assist you with every step of the process, gathering evidence to show why an RO may be necessary. Get started today by calling our offices at 888-535-3686 or submitting your information through our online form.