James Bledsoe was killed at the All Star Inn Motel, 5522 N. Pan Am (IH-35), on Monday, March 17, 1986. Around 10:30 pm he was seen in the breezeway in front of Room 150 struggling with a suspect; gunshots were heard and witnesses watched him fall. The Medical Examiner pronounced him dead of multiple gunshot wounds.

Witnesses described the suspect as a black male, 20–25 years old, short black hair, about 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall and 160 pounds, wearing blue jeans and a green jersey or shirt with white lettering. The suspect was seen getting into a Ford 4-door, model year around 1979–80, possibly yellow, on the passenger side. Two black females, both known locally as prostitutes, were also reported leaving the scene in a dark car. The day before the killing Bledsoe had asked a suspected black male pimp to leave the motel after workers complained; police say the murder could be related to that incident.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the SAPD Cold Case Homicide Unit at 207-7635.