James E. Beasley, a 26-year-old African American man from Pensacola, Florida, was shot to death on August 31, 2019. Shortly after midnight he called Pensacola police to report someone had attempted to shoot him near downtown; officers searched but did not find a suspect and Beasley said he had a safe place to go. About two hours later, at 2:15 a.m., police returned after a woman reported gunshots and found Beasley deceased in the 800 block of West Gadsden Street, just north of downtown. He had been shot twice, and a Hi-Point 9mm handgun was recovered about 100 feet from his body.

Less than two months earlier, 38-year-old Aaroney Okevious Reed had been released from federal prison after serving time for possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. Reed was arrested on September 3, 2019, on charges not initially tied to Beasley’s death; while in custody he was later charged in connection with the fatal shooting. The victim’s family and the community continue to grieve James Beasley’s loss.

If anyone witnessed the shooting on August 31, 2019, on West Gadsden Street or has information about what happened that night, please come forward.