Mother asks for help in solving son’s slaying

Few details found about death of man shot near his home in 2007.

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By Mark McGregor, Staff Writer 11:20 PM Thursday, December 15, 2011

SPRINGFIELD — The mother of a man shot to death nearly four years ago is renewing the family’s plea for help in solving the cold case.

Bradley J. Adkins Jr. died at age 19 on Dec. 28, 2007, after being shot near his home at 370 Sherman Ave. Why he was shot is unclear, and there are few details in the case.

Christina Adkins said she doesn’t feel police have taken enough action to solve the case. Many people have come forward and talked about it and written statements to her and police, but no movement has been made, she said. But Springfield Police Chief Stephen P. Moody said the case is still an open homicide investigation. “We only have one shot at a case and we want to make sure we have the best prosecutable case,” he said.

“Anybody that has lost a child would be angry and upset and want something done about it,” Adkins said.

Police understand the grieving process, Moody said. “We’re part of that grieving process, and anger is part of the process.”

Investigators want anyone with information to come forward.

The relationships between community members can change over time, especially during the holiday season, and the community’s help could bolster the case, Moody said.

“I imagine that Bradley’s mother would, coming up on the fourth anniversary, appreciate that,” he said.

“I just want to know what happened to my child. I would like that person to not go out and kill somebody else,” Adkins said.

Anyone with information on the case should call the shift commander at (937) 324-7716. The family is offering a reward for any information leading to an arrest and conviction.

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