Roderick James Jr., 19, was fatally shot on December 6, 2020, in Chicago’s Belmont Cragin neighborhood. He was found unresponsive in the back seat of a vehicle in the 5100 block of West Melrose Street with multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 68-year-old driver reported seeing a gun pointed at his head from Cole’s car; that driver ducked as bullets struck his vehicle. Ballistics evidence and witness statements indicated shots were fired through the back passenger window, and witnesses saw several men running from the car near Belmont and Leclaire. Police found James dead in the abandoned vehicle and arrested Cole and two others nearby; surveillance video reportedly showed a gun being tossed onto a garage roof.

Key open questions include the motive for firing at the other driver and the exact sequence that led to the stray rounds striking James. If anyone knew Roderick James Jr. or saw activity in the area that night, please share information with investigators.