James C. Gray Jr., known as JJ, was a 16-year-old Black male from Kokomo, Indiana. Described by those who knew him as loving, caring, and intelligent, he left behind grieving parents, grandparents and three siblings after he was shot and killed on the evening of January 2, 2020.

Investigators say James had arranged to meet two individuals on Kokomo’s northwest side for a marijuana transaction and rode there in a white Dodge Dart driven by his sister and her boyfriend. An altercation occurred before any deal took place; James was shot once in the left chest and clavicle area. He was taken to St. Vincent Hospital, where police were called just before 11 p.m., and he died shortly after arrival. Police found what appeared to be blood in the vehicle and a spent 9mm shell casing in the back seat.

A 15-year-old was arrested on a robbery charge, and 18-year-old Jeremiah Neal of Cahokia, Illinois, was later arrested and charged with murder and robbery. Neal was acquitted by a jury after trial, and the homicide remains unsolved. Anyone with information is asked to contact Kokomo Police Detective Scott Purtee at 765-456-7322, the Kokomo Police Department Hotline at 765-456-7017, or Central Indiana Crime Stoppers at 1-800-262-TIPS.

Did anyone in the community know James or see him that night who hasn’t yet spoken to investigators?