JT attended Crestview Elementary, Hibiscus Elementary, Parkway Middle School, and Parkway Academy. He was now a sophomore at Miami Northwestern High School, where his presence will be greatly missed.
JT enjoyed playing football, basketball, and lifting weights. He enjoyed singing and rapping as well. JT spent most of his time with those he loved most his family and friends.
The high school sophomore wanted to be a pilot.
''He wanted to see new things,'' said Deirdre Anderson, a media specialist at Carol City High who travels with a humanitarian group to South Africa and other impoverished countries every year to deliver school supplies to needy children.
James died only half a block from the house in which his family has lived since 1979. Most of the homes on the windy back street are well-kept, within view of Dolphin Stadium.
James had grown with a group of friends on the block, and usually could be found bouncing around from home to home.
That night, James had been out past his Saturday night curfew at midnight. Deirdre Anderson called her son. No answer. She wasn't too worried. ''He was in the neighborhood. I knew where he was,'' she said.
She retired to her room and began dozing off. She did not hear any shots, but awoke to her daughter screaming. Police rushed in. Neighbors crowded outside their houses.
Her son had been killed. There's a reward of $41,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of James' killer. Anyone with information should call Detective Stephen Parr at 305-471-2400 or Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.