In the early morning light of September 22, 1995, the body of 16-year-old John McGregor was discovered on a sidewalk, just a block and a half from his Seattle, Washington home. A student at Garfield High School, the young Black male had sustained a single gunshot wound to his head. The tragic discovery marked the beginning of a perplexing mystery for law enforcement and a deep, unending grief for his family and friends.
By all accounts, John was a creative and positive young man with no known enemies, making his violent death all the more baffling to those who knew him.
John was known for his passion for photography and rap music. He was a member of a local rap group called Anonymous that aimed to spread positive messages through their music. The night before his death, John had attended a party near Capitol Hill with friends, where he was remembered as being in good spirits, rapping and dancing. After the party, he dropped off some friends and returned a borrowed car before making a call from a payphone around 2:15 a.m. It is believed he then began the short walk home, a journey he would never complete. Neighbors later reported hearing a gunshot around 2:40 a.m.
The investigation into John McGregor's homicide quickly hit a standstill. Seattle police found themselves with no witnesses to the shooting and a lack of evidence or leads. Despite their efforts and public appeals for information, no suspects were ever identified, and no arrests have been made in the case. The seemingly senseless killing of a promising and well-liked teenager has left a lasting scar on the community and an unresolved quest for justice for his family. The case remains a cold one, a source of continued frustration and sorrow for those who remember the affable young man with a creative spirit.
