A man is found shot to death inside his home
In the early hours of March 15, 2000, the quiet of a Virginia Beach neighborhood was broken by a tragic discovery. James L. Dejarnette Jr., a 29-year-old Black male, was found deceased by his roommate inside their residence in the 1500 block of New York Avenue. The Virginia Beach Police responded to the call at 12:40 a.m. An investigation by the State Medical Examiner's Office would later confirm that Dejarnette died from a gunshot wound, and his death was ruled a homicide. Known affectionately as 'DeJay' to his friends and family, he was described as a kind and well-loved member of his community who was active in his church's gospel choir and dedicated his time to helping run before- and after-school programs for local children.
The last time anyone is known to have heard from Dejarnette was at 9:35 p.m. on March 14, 2000, when he was on the phone with a friend. Investigators believe the murder occurred sometime between that phone call and when his body was discovered. The initial investigation revealed that some items were stolen from the home, pointing to robbery as a potential motive. Adding to the mystery, Dejarnette's vehicle was found abandoned about a week after his murder.
For years, the case grew cold, leaving a community and a grieving family without answers. However, in 2009, new detectives assigned to the case unearthed a new lead. A witness came forward, claiming to have seen Dejarnette with another individual outside a 7-Eleven convenience store just hours before he was found dead. The person seen with him was described as a Black male in his early twenties, with very short hair, standing approximately five feet nine inches tall, and weighing around one hundred ninety pounds.
This individual was labeled a person of interest, as authorities believe he may have been the last person to see Dejarnette alive. Despite this development, law enforcement has been unable to identify or locate this person. As of now, the murder of James L. Dejarnette Jr. remains an active and unsolved case. No arrests have been made, and no suspects have been formally named, leaving a lingering sense of injustice for a man remembered for his generosity, big smile, and dedication to his faith and community.
