Since 2001, his mother, grandmother and grandfather have all died of natural causes.

His brother, Nicholas Javon James, 30, was shot to death Sunday. Police say robbery was the motive.

Police said Tuesday that investigators have arrested Michael Crump, 23, of Charles Street and a 15-year-old in the killing. Police are still looking for Dennis Maurice Quick Jr., 17, of South Roxboro Street.

James' death is the city's 13th homicide of the year.

Crump's convictions include eluding arrest, assault and drug possession. Quick has three larceny convictions.

Nicholas James grew up in the Oxford Manor neighborhood and attended Northern High School, his brother said. He was in frequent trouble because of where he lived and whom he hung out with but started to turn his life around after his mother died, Charles James said.

At that point, he was tired of gangbanging. He was tired of being in and out of jail. So he moved to Chapel Hill in 2006 and worked in construction.

Charles James, who lives in Greensboro, doesn't understand why his brother was in Durham -- he left the Bull City to stay out of trouble. The last time they spoke was June 6, his older brother's birthday. They talked about a car he recently purchased, a 1992 Ford Crown Victoria. Police found James inside his vehicle on Weaver Street about 1 a.m. Sunday.

James leaves behind three sons and two daughters, ages 4 to 10. The funeral will be held at Scarborough & Hargett Funeral Home. Arrangements are incomplete, and the family is seeking help to pay expenses. To help, contact Charles James at (336) 210-3188 or (336) 292-3237.

Anyone with information about Quick may call Investigator C.A. Robinson at 560-4440, ext. 264, Sgt. Jack Cates at 560-4440, ext. 262, or CrimeStoppers, which pays cash for anonymous tips leading to arrest in felony cases, at 683-1200.

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