In the fall of 2016, a tragedy struck a quiet neighborhood in Tempe, Arizona, forever altering the life of a young girl and leaving a community in search of answers. On the evening of October 27th, 33-year-old James Fennelly, a Caucasian male, was at his home near Roosevelt Street and University Drive. In a sudden and violent intrusion, two men entered his residence and fatally shot him.
The most heartbreaking detail of this horrific event was the presence of Fennelly's 7-year-old daughter, who was in the home when her father was murdered.
The assailants, described by the Tempe Police Department as two Black males, fled the scene, leaving behind a devastating crime scene and a grieving family. Investigators were called to the home, and an immediate search for the perpetrators began. The senseless act of violence left friends and family mourning the loss of a beloved father, son, and friend. Described as a free spirit with a kind soul, James was remembered as a wonderful father and a great friend who is deeply missed by many.
In the days and weeks that followed, the Tempe Police Department made public appeals for any information that could lead to the identification and capture of the suspects. They urged anyone with knowledge of the crime to come forward and contact the police or Silent Witness. Despite their efforts and the pleas from a heartbroken community, the case has remained a topic of ongoing investigation. To date, there have been no arrests announced in connection with the murder of James Fennelly, and the two suspects responsible for his untimely death remain at large. The motive for the shooting has not been publicly released, leaving a shroud of mystery over the tragic loss of a young father's life.
