On a Thursday evening in Middlesboro, Kentucky, the life of 24-year-old James “JD” Lumpkin was tragically cut short. On June 6, 2024, Lumpkin was in front of the Midnight Market on Winchester Avenue when a drive-by shooting occurred just before 9:30 p.m. He sustained gunshot wounds and was quickly transported to Middlesboro ARH Hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by the Bell County Deputy Coroner.
Friends and family remember JD Lumpkin as a caring,
funny, and charismatic individual who brought sunshine even on rainy days. A proud resident of Middlesboro, he was known for his big heart, unwavering loyalty, and dedication to his loved ones. He leaves behind a young daughter, his girlfriend, parents, and siblings, along with a wide circle of extended family and close friends who now mourn a profound loss.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the Middlesboro Police Department launched an investigation. Before 9:45 p.m. that same evening, authorities had a suspect in custody. Leslie Sherman Webb, a 27-year-old man also from Middlesboro, was arrested in connection with the fatal shooting. Webb was taken to the Bell County Detention Center and has been charged with second-degree manslaughter. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
