In the early hours of May 7, 2017, the life of 30-year-old James C. Little Jr., an African American man from Seattle, Washington, was tragically cut short. Known affectionately as "Bookie" to his loved ones, he was a man remembered for his vibrant spirit and the happiness he brought to those around him. The night he died, he was at the Taradise Cafe in the White Center neighborhood, celebrating a friend's birthday.
The evening took a dark turn when a fight broke out between a group of
women inside the bar and spilled out into the street. Little, who was known for his instinct to help others, had reportedly tried to de-escalate the conflict. After the initial altercation seemed to subside, he crossed the street to speak with some of the individuals involved. It was at this moment that a man, later identified by authorities, calmly drew a firearm and shot Little in the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:40 a.m., leaving a community and a loving family to grapple with the sudden and senseless loss.
In the days following the shooting, the King County Sheriff's Office identified the suspect as Billy D. Williams, a 30-year-old Black male with ties to both Seattle and Albany, Oregon. A warrant for first-degree murder was issued for his arrest. Described as being 5'8" with a medium build, Williams has remained at large since the incident. Surveillance footage from outside the cafe captured the events of that night, and according to detectives, it contradicts any claims of self-defense.
Years have passed, and for James Little's family, the pain of his absence is a constant presence. His mother has spoken publicly about her ongoing grief and her fervent hope for justice. She remembers her son as a caring man who had recently moved to Oakland and was only back in Seattle that weekend to handle some court matters. For his family, the fact that his alleged killer has not been apprehended compounds their suffering. Despite the passage of time and the tireless efforts of his loved ones to keep his memory alive, the case remains an open wound, with a suspect still at large and a family still waiting for closure.
