James B. Freeman, 21, was shot and killed the night of November 1, 2014, at the Stoneridge apartment complex in the 6200 block of Hightower Road in the Churchland area of Portsmouth, Virginia. Police received reports of gunfire shortly after 9:30 p.m.; officers found Freeman behind or near a dumpster with gunshot wounds and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Freeman’s family publicly appealed for help; his brother Mark Freeman said James had touched many lives and urged anyone with information not to remain silent. Freeman worked at a local Food Lion and was remembered by neighbors and a nearby dentist as genuine and humorous.

About two weeks after the killing reports noted no arrests had been made and the case remained an open investigation with no publicly named suspect. Anyone with information about this homicide is asked to contact the Crime Line.