On the night of December 21, 2020, emergency responders were called to a reported shooting at the Taco Bell at 2933 South National Avenue in Springfield, Missouri. Officers found 28-year-old Malcolm J. James in the adjacent parking lot near 2949 South National suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to a local hospital but died of his injuries.

The Springfield Police Department opened a homicide investigation and reported the shooting did not appear to be a random act. The incident was recorded as the city’s 27th violent death for 2020. Detectives continued to gather evidence and seek information from the public; two days later, on December 23, 2020, reports said an arrest had been made in connection with the fatal shooting, though initial releases did not include the suspect’s identity or specific charges.

If anyone has information about Malcolm James or the events that night, please share what is known.