Jeffrey Leonard Gunn

A man is found shot in the back behind an apartment building
Jeffrey Leonard Gunn, a 37-year-old African-American man, had moved from his hometown of Danville, Virginia, to build a life in Greensboro, North Carolina. He was an employee of Time Warner Cable and is remembered by his family as a loved one whose life was cut tragically short. His death in the winter of 2001 was a violent act that has remained unsolved for more than two decades, leaving a painful void and a long list of unanswered questions for his family and the community.

On the evening of Tuesday, January 23, 2001, the routine of a quiet neighborhood was shattered. At approximately 6:46 p.m., officers from the Greensboro Police Department were dispatched to the apartment complex at 501-A Greenbriar Road. Behind one of the buildings, they made a grim discovery: the body of Jeffrey Gunn. He was found lying on the ground, unresponsive. It was immediately apparent that he was the victim of a violent crime, and the case was ruled a homicide. A subsequent examination determined that Jeffrey had died from a fatal gunshot wound to his back.

The initial homicide investigation, logged under case number 2001-63403, was intensive. Greensboro police detectives secured the scene, searching for physical evidence and canvassing the area for anyone who might have seen or heard something unusual. They worked to reconstruct Jeffrey’s final hours, trying to establish a timeline of his activities and understand what could have led him to be behind that specific apartment building. The motive for the shooting and the identity of the person who pulled the trigger remained elusive. Despite their efforts to generate leads, the investigation eventually stalled, and the case grew cold.

Years turned into decades, but the search for justice for Jeffrey Gunn never officially closed. His file remains open within the Greensboro Police Department's Cold Case Homicides unit, a somber reminder of a life taken and a crime unpunished. Investigators periodically revisit the evidence, hoping that advancements in forensic technology or a new piece of information might provide the breakthrough they have been waiting for. The lack of resolution has meant that the individual or individuals responsible have evaded accountability, leaving Jeffrey's loved ones without closure.

In an effort to breathe new life into the investigation, the state of North Carolina has authorized a significant financial incentive. A Governor's reward of $5,000 is being offered for information that directly leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Jeffrey Gunn's murder. This reward underscores the continued commitment of law enforcement to solving this case and finally providing answers to his family.

As of November 2026, the murder of Jeffrey Leonard Gunn remains an active and ongoing cold case investigation. The Greensboro Police Department, along with Greensboro/Guilford Crime Stoppers, continues to appeal to the public for assistance. They believe that someone holds the key piece of information that could solve the case. Authorities urge anyone with knowledge about the circumstances of Jeffrey’s death, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 336-373-1000.