James Johnson

James Johnson, a 29-year-old Black / African American man from Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood, was fatally shot on the night of Tuesday, May 1, 2012. The attack happened around 11 p.m. in the city’s Lincoln-Lemington area, ending his life in a sudden burst of violence.

That evening, Johnson had been at the New Jug Bar. After leaving the establishment, he walked to his car in a nearby parking lot on Lincoln Avenue and got inside. It was at that moment that an assailant ambushed him, opening fire with a weapon police described as an assault-style rifle.

Johnson was struck in the chest and was pronounced dead at the scene. Pittsburgh homicide police immediately launched an investigation into the killing and began searching for those responsible. In the days that followed, authorities did not release any information regarding a suspect or a possible motive for the shooting.

As of May 2012, no arrests had been made, and the case of who killed James Johnson remains unsolved. Police are asking for help from the public. Anyone with information is encouraged to call 412-323-7161; police have stated that anonymous calls will be accepted.