William James, 46, known as Buttons, was shot and killed in Stamford, Connecticut on the evening of Thursday, June 5, 2014. At about 8:36 p.m. at the corner of South Pacific Street and Ludlow Street a male approached James from behind and fired a single shot to the head. The area was reportedly busy; the shooter ran east on Ludlow Street and fled the scene. James was found by officers, taken to Stamford Hospital, and pronounced deceased. The city’s first homicide of 2014 drew a memorial of candles and balloons at the site.

Investigators stated they believed James was specifically targeted rather than the victim of a random act. Within a week police said they were nearly certain who the killer was; the inquiry led to the arrest of 20-year-old Andre Russell of Ludlow Street, charged with first-degree murder and held on $1 million bond. Reported motive involved a dispute over a drug debt and allegations James had sold narcotics on Russell’s side of the street. Russell pleaded not guilty. The family said the arrest brought them some relief.

If anyone knew William James, his routines, associates, or has information about the shooting, please share what is known.