In the pre-dawn hours of January 30, 2020, the quiet of a residential street in Kilmarnock, Virginia, was broken by a 911 call reporting a breaking and entering on Bel-Mer Way. When officers from the Kilmarnock Police Department and emergency services arrived at the scene, they discovered 25-year-old James T. 'JT' Walters, a Black male from Lancaster, suffering from gunshot wounds.
Despite the efforts of first responders, Walters succumbed to his injuries at the residence.
The investigation that followed revealed that Walters was not a stranger to the people inside the home, a detail that raised questions about the events that transpired that morning. The case drew significant community attention as people awaited answers. Nearly ten months after the fatal shooting, progress in the case was announced. On November 23, 2020, the Lancaster County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office requested that a Special Grand Jury be convened to look into the homicide.
A judge from the Lancaster County Circuit Court granted the request, ordering the Special Grand Jury to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of James T. Walters. The jury was tasked with examining the evidence and determining if there was sufficient probable cause to issue any indictments in connection with the shooting. Information regarding the findings of the Special Grand Jury or any subsequent arrests or charges has been limited as the community continues to await a final resolution and justice for Walters.
