James Bradford Black, a 34-year-old man, was tragically shot and killed on May 4, 2017, at his home in Mifflin Township, Ohio. He was found fatally shot inside the home he shared with Erik Steven Taylor, who was also injured in the incident. The shooting occurred in the 2400 block of Lindale Road, and neighbors reported hearing a rapid succession of gunfire just after 3 p.m. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office identified Black as the victim and Taylor as the injured roommate.
The investigation into Black's death revealed that Bradley D. Lubell, age 28, and a 16-year-old accomplice, Deveron Huett, were involved in a home invasion armed robbery that led to the shooting. Lubell was indicted on multiple charges, including Aggravated Murder, Murder, Attempted Murder, Felonious Assault, Aggravated Burglary, and Aggravated Robbery. Huett faced delinquency counts of Aggravated Murder and Aggravated Robbery. Both suspects were arrested and faced legal proceedings for their involvement in the crime.
The case drew significant attention from law enforcement and the community, with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation assisting in the investigation. Despite the arrests and charges, the motive behind the shooting remained unclear, and investigators continued to pursue several leads. The legal proceedings against Lubell and Huett highlighted the severity of the crime and the impact on the victims and their families.
James Bradford Black, known as "JayBee," was born on September 17, 1982, and grew up in Richwood, Ohio. He graduated from North Union High School in 2000 and was remembered fondly by his family and friends. His untimely death left a lasting impact on those who knew him and underscored the importance of addressing violent crime in the community.
