PHILADELPHIA (January 8, 2024) — District Attorney Larry Krasner and the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Gun Violence Task Force (GVTF) on Monday announced that Philadelphia’s Thirty-Second Investigating Grand Jury has recommended charges against James Adams (DOB 1/8/2001) for his role in the fatal shooting of a teenaged male in the city’s Strawberry Mansion section in 2021. Due to the sensitive nature of Grand Jury proceedings, a significant portion of information about this case remains under seal by the court. The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is able to disclose the following, however:On the night of July 4, 2021, Adams fatally shot 17-year-old Tyron Rozier in the back on the 2100 block of West Sedgley Avenue. Approximately one hour later, Philadelphia police found Rozier and he was pronounced shortly thereafter. Adams used a 9mm “ghost gun” pistol to murder Rozier. Philadelphia police were later able to corroborate a tip from the public that implicated Adams in Rozier’s homicide.
After working additional leads, investigators with the GVTF utilized digital and forensic techniques, the investigating power of the Grand Jury, and partnership with federal authorities to uncover sufficient evidence and obtain an arrest warrant for Adams, who was apprehended last week and has since been charged with Murder and related offenses. A preliminary hearing for this defendant, who is currently in custody and being held without bail, is scheduled for later this month.“Thanks to the Investigating Grand Jury for their service and work in helping close this case,” said DA Larry Krasner. “This case is also emblematic of the power of high-end forensic capabilities in solving serious cases like this one, as well as the need for more of these capabilities so that we can solve more cases and bring justice to victims and co-victims of violent crime. It’s also emblematic of the need for resources to help build a cold case unit that will help solve cases like this one.”“The Gun Violence Task Force will continue to investigate and prosecute people who commit violence in our communities,” said Assistant District Attorney Joe Lanuti, a prosecutor with the GVTF assigned to Adams’ case. “And while we cannot bring back loved ones lost to gun violence, we will do everything in our power to continue to prevent further tragedy in our community. I also want thank Paul Haggerty, a forensic analyst with the GVTF, who worked through a mountain of digital evidence in order to help solve this case.”
CONTACT:Dustin Slaughter, [email protected]
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The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million residents of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives, and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for the prosecution of approximately 40,000 criminal cases annually. Learn more about the DAO by visiting PhillyDA.org.