In the early hours of a Sunday morning in Washington, D.C., a life was tragically cut short. On January 27, 2008, at approximately 2:35 a.m., Randolph James was inside an apartment building in the 400 block of 37th Street, SE, when he was fatally shot. The incident left a family and community mourning a sudden and violent loss.
Known to his loved ones as 'Randy,' Mr. James was a husband to Bernadette Daniels and a devoted father to his daughter, Travonna Brooks. His family also included two stepsons, Termaine Richmond and Benjamin Daniels, and a grandson. He is remembered by his sisters, Peggy James and Patricia Brevard, and a host of other relatives and friends who were left to grapple with the sorrow of his untimely death. His daughter fondly recalled him as a very loving and caring father who was always there for her and his grandson.
In the wake of the shooting, the Metropolitan Police Department launched an investigation into the homicide.
Detectives from the department's Violent Crimes Branch took charge of the case, seeking assistance from the public to piece together the events that led to Mr. James's death. A reward of up to $25,000 was offered for any information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this crime. Despite the passage of time, the case of Randolph James's death is listed among the unsolved homicides for 2008 by the Metropolitan Police Department, and there have been no public announcements regarding any arrests or the identification of any suspects. The investigation into who took his life remains open.
