James McClendon Jr., 34, was reported missing from Tampa on December 9, 2025. Officers found his rental car abandoned on the 3500 block of East 27th Avenue with a spent 9mm shell casing inside. Two days later his body was discovered in a vacant lot on the 2700 block of 18th Avenue East near North 28th Street in Ybor City. The Medical Examiner determined the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the upper body.

Detectives reviewed surveillance from the night McClendon disappeared and traced his movements to a gas station on North 50th Street, where he picked up a passenger wearing distinctive clothing and bright blue shoes. Investigators identified that individual and executed a search warrant at his residence, recovering a 9mm shell casing that matched the casing found in McClendon’s car. On December 23, 2025, law enforcement arrested 17-year-old Keshon Moore near Rowlett Park; he was booked into the Juvenile Assessment Center on a charge of murder.

Anyone who knew McClendon, saw him in Ybor City on December 9, 2025, or has information about his movements that night is asked to share what they know.