Jonathan Pierre Dillard, a 30-year-old African American man, was tragically found dead on August 8, 2015, in Salisbury, North Carolina. His body was discovered in a driveway at 828 Park Avenue, between a residence and a vacant home. The Salisbury Police Department continues to investigate his murder, and a $500 reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
Despite ongoing efforts, no arrests have been made in connection with his death.
Neighbors reported hearing gunshots several hours before Dillard's body was found just before 5 a.m. on that fateful day. There was some initial confusion about whether there had been a homicide in the neighborhood prior to Dillard's death, but it was confirmed that there had not been a murder in the area for several years. The police have not confirmed whether Dillard was robbed before he was killed, although his father, James Dobbs Jr., mentioned that he had been told his son was robbed.
Jonathan Pierre Dillard, known to many as JP or Pierre, was a friendly and outgoing individual who never met a stranger. He spent about four years in the U.S. Navy after high school and later worked as a bartender at Outback Steakhouse. Dillard was a devoted father to his three children, aged 11, 9, and 6, who reside in Louisiana and Salisbury. His relationship with his child's mother in Salisbury was described as "on and off," but he loved his children dearly.
The investigation into Dillard's murder remains active, with detectives continuing to conduct follow-ups. The Salisbury Police Department has not released any additional details about the case, and the community remains hopeful that justice will be served.
