Five years later, family pleads for lead in man's shooting death.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- It's been five years since 29-year-old James Johnson was shot and killed on the west side of Columbus. His family held a vigil Monday night as they continue searching for answers into his unsolved homicide.

"I don't know why somebody would take him," Johnson's mother Brenda said. "I don't know. I just wish they'd come forward and help us get some kind of healing."

Every year on the anniversary of his death, Johnson's loved ones gather at the Sunoco gas station on Sullivant Avenue, the same spot where he was shot in 2020.

"It's kind of like the more time goes by, the harder it kind of gets because then you're reminded they're really not coming back," Brenda Johnson said. "I'll never get to hug my son again, tell him I love him."

Loved ones held candles, prayed, and shared memories Monday to honor Johnson's life.

"We don't know who," Brenda Johnson said. "We don't know why. But we need those answers."

"I didn't lose a child," Brenda Johnson said. "He was taken in the worst possible way. Like he was hunted down. He didn't have a gun. He was running from gunshots coming towards him. He wasn't no gang member."

Columbus police have followed several leads over the years, noting two men fled the scene in a red and gold Pontiac Montana driven by a woman. Johnson then reportedly drove to the United Dairy Farmers on Hague Avenue where police found him inside his car with gunshot wounds. His killer or killers remain on the loose.

"Right now, I don't know, I could be next to them at the grocery store," Brenda Johnson said. "That's hard. And I could become a hard, bitter woman, but I'm not."

Brenda is now helping other families living the same nightmare. She recently started a nonprofit called What About Us? which is focused on trauma care for children of homicide victims. She's also a member of Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children and she helps Columbus police in their homicide unit. Her message for whoever is responsible is simple.

"I know it's hard but do the right thing," Brenda Johnson said. "Help ease our pain a little bit. You've gotten to walk the streets for five years hugging your mom and your own kids. But we haven't got that."

Johnson leaves behind six children. According to his loved ones, he was known for his jokes and generosity.

"He gave to the homeless," Brenda Johnson said. "He judged nobody. If you didn't have a shower, you could go to his house and shower. He'd feed you."

While the pain doesn't fade, Brenda said her fight for justice is what keeps her going. She said she'll continue coming back year after year until someone speaks up.

Anyone with information on Johnson's murder is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477 or visit www.stopcrime.org and submit your tip.