SAN FRANCISCO—A $50,000 reward has been offered with information leading to the identification and arrest of the suspect responsible for fatally shooting San Francisco attorney James G. Gilliland Jr., 62, outside his El Cerrito home, on Hazel Avenue last month at approximately 9:00 p.m.

A private donor—who according to police requests wishes to remain anonymous, offered a $50,000 reward in exchange for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Gilliland’s death.

On October 27, Gilliland was returning home from a social event when he was shot and killed by an unknown assailant on his front porch. Neighbors later reported seeing a “suspicious” black SUV parked on Hazel Avenue on the wrong side of the street prior to hearing gunshots.

“We heard at first two shots and then three, pretty rapid ones after that…” said Anna Schumacherk to ABC7 news. Paramedics pronounced Gilliland dead on the scene.

Officials from the El Cerrito Police Department have obtained surveillance footage from Gilliland’s private property,  they have not been able to determine if the footage is of value to the investigation. Investigators are continuing to confirm a motive for the murder of Gilliland.

Gilliland was in charge of intellectual property cases for companies such as Apple, Oracle, Hitachi and Sony according to reports. In addition to his legal responsibilities, Gilliland was one of the board members for Roses In Concrete- a new school in East Oakland. He was a husband, and father to four who is remembered in a Kilpatrick Townsend obituary written by Susan Spaeth. He is described as a man with passions including, “spending time with his family to singing, enjoying the arts, travel and sport.”

“The victim’s family has requested that the public and media not contact them during this difficult time” states the ECPD.

Kilpatrick Townsend memoriam for Gilliland.
Kilpatrick Townsend memoriam for Gilliland.

Anyone with information pertaining to the case is asked to contact the El Cerrito Police Department at (510)215-4400, Ext. 40.