Alachua County, FL – The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office issued a renewed plea for information this week as investigators mark the anniversary of a 2006 cold case killing in Hawthorne.
During the afternoon of December 4, 2006, a passerby spotted a man on the roadside in the 11000 block of SE CR 2082 who appeared to need medical help. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the man — later identified as 24-year-old James Edward Tuff — told the witness he had been shot. Tuff died from his injuries before law enforcement arrived.
According to investigators, the case remains unsolved despite multiple interviews and reviews over the past 19 years. Detectives say they believe someone in the community may still have information that could help identify the person responsible.
The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that even small details, memories, or past observations could help move the case forward. Authorities often revisit older cases near their anniversaries to draw new attention and generate fresh leads.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Alachua County Sheriff’s Investigator Todd Hand at (352) 367-4164, (352) 756-3308, or thand@alachuasheriff.org. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Alachua County Crime Stoppers at 352-372-STOP.
Authorities say the public’s help remains essential in cold cases like this one, where time and community awareness can play pivotal roles in uncovering new evidence.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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