Justin Patton

A man is found shot outside his vehicle
Justin A. Patton, a man remembered for his sweet smile and a laugh described as contagious, was a loving son, brother, and companion who adored his children. The 35-year-old White / Caucasian father of three and stepfather to one had attended Whiteland Community High School and was working in sales. Friends and family, who affectionately knew him as JP, recall the cute dimples his own babies inherited from him. He lived in the Firestone Park neighborhood of Akron, Ohio, a community known for its brick homes and tree-lined streets, originally developed for the families of tire company workers in the early 20th century.

The morning of Monday, September 23, 2019, began like any other in Akron, but it would end in tragedy for Justin and his loved ones. At approximately 6:50 a.m., as the city was just beginning to stir, Justin was in a parking lot in the 200 block of North Forge Street, near Summa Akron City Hospital. It was there, in the early morning light, that he was fatally shot. Police were called to the scene around 7 a.m. and found Justin outside of his vehicle.

According to the Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office and police reports, Justin had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his back. He was pronounced dead at the scene, his life cut short in a sudden act of violence. The area, part of Akron's urban core, was processed for evidence by investigators, but the circumstances that led to the shooting remained unclear. No motive was immediately apparent, and no suspect was seen or identified in the initial hours of the investigation.

The Akron Police Department opened a homicide investigation into Justin’s death. Detectives sought information from the public, hoping that someone in the vicinity of North Forge Street that morning might have seen or heard something, no matter how insignificant it seemed. Despite their efforts, the investigation has not led to an arrest, and no suspects have been publicly named. The case has grown cold, a painful reality for a family still seeking answers and justice.

In the years since the killing, Justin's case has been added to the list of unsolved homicides maintained by the Ohio Attorney General's Office. This inclusion aims to keep his story in the public eye and to generate new leads from a wider audience. Law enforcement agencies continue to appeal to the public for any information that might help solve the case. Messages left on a memorial page show a family still grieving a profound loss: "Rest easy my Angel JP. Watch over our babies," one reads. Another says, "Happy Thanksgiving in Heaven Justin! Your kids and I love you always."

As of late 2023, the murder of Justin Patton remains unsolved. His loved ones are left with memories of his laugh, his smile, and their unanswered questions about why his life was taken. The Akron Police Department and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation continue to ask for the public's help. Anyone with information regarding the shooting of Justin Patton is urged to contact the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau.