In the early morning hours of Saturday, September 23, 2017, a life was tragically cut short in Nashville, Tennessee. James L. Perry, a 34-year-old Black/African American man, was fatally shot around 5:00 a.m. at 1903 12th Ave N in North Nashville. Perry was returning to a car that was waiting for him when he was approached by a man wearing a hoodie who opened fire, shooting him multiple times before fleeing the scene.
Perry's girlfriend was with him at the time and immediately alerted the police. Despite the quick response and efforts to save him, Perry succumbed to his injuries and died at the scene. The Nashville Police Department was notified of the incident after officers were flagged down and led to the location where the shooting had occurred. Several reports of gunshots in the area had also been made.
Known affectionately as 'Pac-Man' to his family, Perry had a passion for cooking and was a well-known member of his community. In the years following his death, his sister, Lisa Fleming, has been a vocal advocate for justice, urging anyone with information to come forward. However, the fear of retaliation has been a significant obstacle in the investigation, with potential witnesses hesitant to speak with law enforcement.
The murder of James L. Perry remains unsolved, and no arrests have been made in the case. The Nashville Police Department's Cold Case Homicide Unit continues to investigate and has offered a reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for his death. The case remains an active and ongoing investigation.
