James Johnson was 30 when he was shot dead on his birthday, June 17, 2010. The shooting occurred around 5:30 p.m. on the front porch of a residence in the 800 block of Ross Avenue in Wilkinsburg, where a party was being held in his honor. Johnson was struck in the back and later died at UPMC Presbyterian.

Witnesses describe an earlier heated argument on the porch that evening involving several people. A young man identified as 20-year-old Tariq Taliaferro of Wilkinsburg reportedly left the scene after the dispute, then returned and began shooting. An 8-month-old boy on the porch was grazed by a bullet and was treated and released from a local hospital. Danike Smith, who was attending with her infant son, testified at a preliminary hearing that Taliaferro came back and shot Johnson. A warrant was issued and Taliaferro turned himself in; he was charged with homicide, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, and firearm violations, and a judge ordered him to stand trial.

If anyone was at the party or knew James Johnson, can you share details that might help clarify what led up to the shooting?