James Harris Taplin Jr. was 31 and living in Los Angeles when he was fatally shot on October 2, 2002, in the Watts neighborhood. The Los Angeles County coroner ruled his death a homicide; reports say he was shot multiple times.

No arrests have been announced and the case remains unsolved. Investigators have cited a lack of witnesses and concrete evidence as obstacles, and detectives periodically review the file hoping for new leads. Taplin’s family and community continue to be affected by his death.

Anyone with information about the shooting in Watts on October 2, 2002, is asked to contact the Los Angeles Police Department.