Glenn Cofield slaying: Crime Stoppers announces reward for tips leading to arrest

Crime Stoppers of Memphis and Shelby County announced Monday they have received $25,000 as part of a reward for anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest in the shooting death of Glenn Cofield.

Crime Stoppers is a nonprofit, citizen-led agency that offers cash rewards in exchange for crime-related information and tips. Information can be given anonymously. Crime Stoppers can be reached at 528-2274.

The organization did not announce a contributor for the reward or specify if it was a donation from an individual or organization.

Cofield, a local branch manager for financial services company Raymond James and an active volunteer for multiple nonprofits including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, was shot and killed in a parking lot at East Parkway and Poplar after leaving a charity event. 

Police said Cofield had a brief verbal exchange with the suspect before he was shot once in the chest.

Cofield was pronounced dead on the scene.

Police said the shooter was wearing a hoodie and fled the scene in a dark-colored vehicle. There has been no update in suspect information since the Memphis Police Department's press conference Saturday. 

Police have said the shooting took place at 152 E. Parkway North. That’s the site of Greater Lewis Street Missionary Baptist Church, and in the parking lot, bouquets and flower arrangements in square glass vases had been placed on a curb. 

The church apparently served as a parking location for a charity event at a private home nearby. 

People who live in this leafy neighborhood of big homes said an electronic invitation went out to everyone in the neighborhood, asking them to come to the event, have a good time, and help raise money for St. Jude. 

At the house on East Parkway where the charity event took place, a woman confirmed the fundraiser was for St. Jude, but she said that she and others had been told not to share any information with the news media. 

The typical reward Crime Stoppers offers for information leading to an arrest in a homicide case is $1,000. Crime Stoppers confirmed it received an additional $25,000 to add to this reward on Monday, bring the total reward amount to $26,000.

Cofield's death has stunned community members in both Memphis and Oxford, Mississippi, where Cofield was from originally. 

Here's what we know: Memphis business executive Glenn Cofield was killed Friday.

Raymond James issued a statement regarding Cofield's death, saying, "We are shocked and saddened to learn of Glenn’s passing and extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and the Memphis community. His death leaves a deep hole in the lives Glenn touched, and we join those who knew and loved him in mourning their loss.”

Oxford-based artist JoAnne Oliver said the Oxford community is in shock over Cofield's death, and struggling to make sense of the sudden loss. 

"There's a sense of helplessness, and we don't know how to respond," Oliver said. "We can only hope that through his (Cofield) life, and who he was as an exemplary father, person, and friend, that change happens where it's needed."

No funeral arrangements for Cofield have been announced. 

Commercial Appeal reporter Daniel Connolly contributed to this report.