James Easterling Jr., a 22-year-old Black male from Philadelphia, was killed on September 26, 2016, after gunfire broke out on the 1300 block of East Johnson Street. That Monday evening, around 7:50 p.m., Philadelphia police officers were called to the scene and found James suffering from a gunshot wound. He was rushed to Albert Einstein Medical Center, but he died that night.
The shooting did not wound James alone.
Two other young men, ages 20 and 18, were also taken to Albert Einstein Medical Center for treatment after being struck by gunfire. The available public information does not describe what led up to the shooting, whether James was specifically targeted, or whether the other victims were intended targets or caught in the same burst of violence.
James lived on East Duval Street in Philadelphia, and the picture left behind by those who loved him was of a young man remembered for kindness rather than conflict. A family reflection described him as loving, friendly, and kind, someone whose smile and personality could brighten a room. He was connected to the Salvation Army Kroc Center, where he attended church services and often helped members with odd jobs. He was also remembered as hardworking, stylish, and proud of his sneaker collection.
No arrests or named suspects were found in the available online sources. Philadelphia Police list the case as an unsolved murder and continue to ask for information from the public. Detectives have urged anyone who knows what happened on East Johnson Street that night to contact the Philadelphia Police Department tip line, and the case remains one in which James’s family and community are still waiting for answers.
