A man is found shot to death in a grassy area
In the early moments of a summer day in Virginia Beach, a tragedy unfolded that would remain a mystery for decades. Just after midnight on July 10, 1988, James Allen Sutton, a 27-year-old white male, was discovered lying in a grassy area in the 5500 block of Gower Place, suffering from a gunshot wound. Emergency services were called, and he was airlifted to Norfolk General Hospital. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, Sutton succumbed to his injury and was pronounced dead. His death was officially ruled a homicide by the State Medical Examiner's Office following an autopsy.
In the moments leading up to the fatal shooting, witnesses reported seeing James Sutton in the company of an unidentified man near the location where his body was later found. This unknown individual remains a central figure in the unsolved case. Investigators have described Sutton as being 6'0' tall, weighing 160 pounds, with hazel eyes and black, shoulder-length hair.
Despite the passage of time, the case of James Allen Sutton's murder has never been closed. It is now considered a cold case, and the Virginia Beach Police Department continues to seek information that could lead to a breakthrough. To date, no arrests have been made in connection with his death, and no suspects have been publicly identified. The circumstances surrounding the shooting and the identity of the man last seen with Sutton are still unknown, leaving a lingering sense of unanswered questions for his family and the community.
