James Mills, 46, was killed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 19, 2011. Beyond the date, age, and location, few case-specific details are available; the death is described as one of more than 300 homicides recorded in Philadelphia that year.

The broader context for 2011 is relevant: that year saw rising violence in the city, a high proportion of homicides involving firearms, and many cases that received limited media attention. Advocates and police at the time expressed concern about unsolved killings and the strain that volume of cases placed on investigative resources, leaving many families without closure.