Teen to serve 20 years for 2023 assault on Uber driver

A Gulfport teen will spend 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to the shooting of an Uber driver in 2023.

District Attorney Crosby Parker said 19-year-old Trinyell Coats Jr., of Gulfport pleaded guilty Monday to aggravated assault for the January 2023 shooting of Linda Buford.

Judge Randi Mueller sentenced Coats to the maximum of 20 years.

Coats, who was 17 at the time, admitted to shooting Buford in the head as he left her vehicle after an Uber ride. Buford called 911 but was not understood because of the wounds to her face from the gunshot. She drove herself to a Rouse’s parking lot and received help and survived her injuries.

“Using information on the victim’s Uber app, law enforcement was able to track down Coats that same evening, who ultimately admitted to shooting the victim. Officers from the Gulfport Police Department located the weapon which had been discarded shortly after the shooting,” said Assistant District Attorney Patti Simpson, who prosecuted the case.

At the hearing, Buford explained how “a quick move of her head saved her life but scarred her physical appearance and left her with extreme anxiety.”

Coats apologized to the victim and told the court that “not a day goes by that he doesn’t think about what happened.” He also asked for the victim’s forgiveness “for his cruel act.”

During the hearing, Mueller told Coats that while it is fortunate that the victim survived, “senseless violence is wreaking havoc on the community.”