Crime & Safety
Attorney From East Bay Shot Dead On His Front Porch
BREAKING: No motive established in the El Cerrito shooting, police said.
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA – A man found fatally shot outside his home in El Cerrito on Thursday night has been identified as James Gilliland Jr., a 62-year-old man who worked as an attorney at a law office in San Francisco.
Officers responded to reports of shots fired at 8:53 p.m. in the 2600 block of Mira Vista Drive and found Gilliland on his front porch suffering from gunshot wounds, according to police.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
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Investigators determined he had just arrived home and was confronted by a suspect or suspects who shot him. No suspect information or a possible motive have been released by police.
Gilliland was a partner at the Atlanta-based law firm Kilpatrick Townsend and Stockton LLP, which issued a statement about his death.
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"We are deeply saddened by the death of our colleague, friend and partner, Jim Gilliland. Our most heartfelt condolences and sympathies go to Jim's family and all of his colleagues, friends and clients," managing
partner of the firm Susan Spaeth said in a statement.
"Jim was dedicated to his wife, Vickie, his four children and his parents. They were the center of his life. His passions spanned from spending time with his family to singing, enjoying the arts, travel and sports,"
Spaeth said.
"Jim was an absolute pillar of our law firm. He was our trusted colleague and close friend, as well as a mentor and role model to so many. Jim will be missed deeply. He was truly a great lawyer, and his many clients
trusted him with their most difficult cases," she said.
Gilliland tried cases in federal and state courts for 35 years and was managing partner, chairman and most recently chairman of the firm's litigation department.
El Cerrito police are encouraging anyone who may have information about the case to call (510) 215-4400, ext. 40 or by email at investigations@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us.
--Bay City News/Image courtesy of Kilpatrick Townsend and Stockton LLP
