James Elvin Alston III, a 23-year-old African American male, was tragically shot and killed on July 2, 2015, in Raleigh, North Carolina. The incident occurred at approximately 4:15 a.m. in the 700 block of Quarry Road, just two blocks east of Ligon Middle School. Alston, who was turning his life around after previous trouble with the law, was a father of three children and was taking classes at Wake Technical Community College while holding down a job.
He was also involved in community outreach programs aimed at reducing gang violence.
Following the shooting, three men were arrested and charged in connection with Alston's death. Ashton Traevon Champion, 21, and Christopher Rodney Jones, 21, both of Raleigh, were each charged with one count of murder. Isaiah Freeman McFarland, 26, of Raleigh, was charged as an accessory. The arrests were made on July 24, 2015, after an investigation by the Raleigh police.
The case continued to develop over the following years. On January 25, 2017, the three men were sentenced to prison for their roles in the murder. Christopher Rodney Jones, 23, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 20 to 25 years in prison, with credit for the time he had already served while awaiting trial. Ashton Traevon Champion, 23, also pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and received a sentence of 12 to 15½ years in prison, with credit for time served. Isaiah Freeman McFarland, 28, was sentenced to 7-1/3 to 9¾ years in prison as an accessory after the fact of murder.
Alston's death was a significant loss to the community, as he was actively working to bring about positive change. He had recently called for a gang truce and was involved in a community outreach program called "Bring Back the Village, Empowering the Community." His efforts to reduce gang violence and mentor young people were widely recognized and appreciated. Despite the tragic circumstances of his death, Alston's legacy continues to inspire those who knew him and the community he sought to uplift.
