Jessie Brian Armstrong, a 25-year-old father from Detroit, Michigan, was a loving man known by the nickname "J Hood" who adored children and worked in the cement business. Remembered by his family as someone with a generous spirit, Jessie was one of ten siblings and a devoted father to his three daughters: Samyia Clark, Ayanna Bonilla, and Janessa Armstrong. His brother, Doug Lockard, recalled Jessie's selflessness, saying, "If he was sitting here with a bite on his plate and a little kid came up hungry, he'd give it to them." Friends and neighbors in his southwest Detroit community echoed this sentiment, remembering a man who was loved by many.
The evening of Saturday, March 4, 2017, turned into a nightmare for the Armstrong family. At approximately 10:30 p.m., Jessie was on the front porch of his home in the 1000 block of Waterman Street, near Lafayette Boulevard. The most horrific aspect of the crime was that it was witnessed by his five-year-old daughter. A black car, believed to be a Ford Fusion or a Dodge Avenger, pulled up to the house. A passenger exited the vehicle, approached Jessie, and opened fire, shooting him multiple times before fleeing. Jessie collapsed in his driveway and died at the scene.
The child's account of the event was heartbreaking. She later told her family she saw her dad "laying there at the foot of the steps with blood running down his face," and saw the shooter holding a gun at his side. The girl's mother, Veronica, spoke of the deep trauma her daughter endured: "Nobody should be able to see that, especially a 5-year-old girl." Jessie's mother, Ronda Armstrong, described the time since her son's murder as a constant nightmare. In the months that followed, the family was consumed by grief and a desperate search for answers.
The Detroit Police Department launched a homicide investigation, but solid leads were difficult to find. The primary witness was a traumatized five-year-old child, which made obtaining a detailed description of the killer challenging. Police described the suspect as a white male, approximately 5'5" tall, who was wearing dark clothing and was armed with a 9-millimeter pistol. Despite the family's public pleas for help, the investigation stalled.
In an effort to generate new leads, the family turned to the community for help. Crime Stoppers of Michigan announced a cash reward of up to $2,500 for any information that would lead to an arrest in the case. Jessie's sister, Emmy Armstrong, spoke through tears about the family's pain: "He has a 6-year-old daughter; she misses him. He didn't deserve this and his daughter shouldn't have to grow up without him. It's just not fair." The family held onto hope, with his brother Doug delivering a message to the killer: "We're going to find you, and you're going to stand your day in court."
The family resolved to keep Jessie's memory alive, planning to celebrate his birthday each year as a tradition. As of the latest reports from June 2017, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified in connection with Jessie Armstrong's murder. The case remains unsolved, leaving his family still waiting for justice. Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP, where tips can be provided anonymously.
