Deputies from the Boone County Sheriff’s Department are investigating the homicide of a 27-year-old man that occurred at 11:35 p.m. Sunday evening.

Donnell G. Coleman was shot to death in his apartment, 7711 N. La Porte Ave., late Sunday. The four-unit apartment complex is located near Route HH, which is north of Columbia.

“Upon arrival, officers discovered a man in the residence who had been shot in the chest,” Detective Tom O’Sullivan said. “There were individuals trying to perform CPR on him. Our officers came over and brought the medics in, but they weren’t able to revive him.”

Coleman was pronounced dead on the scene.

According to a 25-year-old woman who was at the residence when the incident occurred, a few men forcibly entered through the front door displaying guns. When the victim stood from the couch, the suspects almost instantly shot him in the chest and fled the scene. Witnesses said the men left in a dark sedan.

O’Sullivan said there are no suspected motives yet, but the department is investigating.

“We’re looking at a number of different possibilities, obviously,” he said. “When you have a home invasion, illegal drugs many times are at the root of it. It also could be robbery. We haven’t closed the door on any possible theory.”

The department has begun reaching out to friends and family in search of a motive, O’Sullivan said.

“We’re still in the process of getting out in the community and talking with friends, relatives and associates of the victim,” he said. “We’re trying to determine anyone who may have wanted to do him harm. We’re trying to ascertain a motive for this crime.”

The mid-Missouri Major Case Squad became involved with the investigation early Monday morning.

Evidence has been located, but O’Sullivan couldn’t share any specific details. The evidence hasn’t led the deputies to any suspects, however.

Coleman’s criminal record shows in the past, he pled guilty to misdemeanor possession of marijuana, third-degree assault and operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s license.

O’Sullivan urged anyone with any information on the case to contact Crime Stoppers at (573) 875-TIPS. He ensured anyone sharing information would remain confidential and anonymous.