Thomas James Hinchman Jr., known as TJ, was 22 when he was shot and killed on February 17, 2019, in Modesto, California. Described as having a kind spirit and a love for cooking, he had recently been the primary caretaker for his grandfather after surgery and was close with family and friends.

On the evening of February 17 TJ and a friend were leaning against a vehicle in a parking lot at Oakdale Road and Sylvan Avenue, smoking a cigarette, when the vehicle’s owner, Peter James Warda, confronted them. After an argument and a brief physical altercation, Warda pulled out a gun and shot TJ once in the heart; TJ died at the scene. Warda fled but was found by police four days later hiding in a garage and arrested; he was charged with murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm, with alleged enhancements for firearm use and committing the crime while on bail for another offense.

Anyone who knew TJ or witnessed what happened that night is asked to come forward with information.