Greensboro police were called out early Saturday morning to the 3800 block of Patterson Street and discovered 44‑year‑old Justin Ryan Massey unresponsive and later pronounced dead right there at the scene, authorities say. It’s the city’s second suspected homicide of 2026 and neighbors are still trying to make sense of what happened.
Officers from the Greensboro Police Department, alongside Greensboro Fire Department crews and Guilford County EMS, responded to a call for service around 7:27 a.m. on Jan. 31. When first responders arrived, they found Massey and confirmed he had died. Police have officially labeled the case as a homicide but have not shared details about how he was killed.
Family members have been notified, Greensboro police said, but beyond that, there’s been little information released about the circumstances leading up to Massey’s death. Law enforcement says the investigation is ongoing, and detectives are still piecing together exactly what took place.
Residents in the Patterson Street area woke to the scene, with patrol cars and crime tape marking the early morning hours. It’s stirred concern in this part of town, where neighbors describe the community as tight‑knit and mostly quiet. People who live nearby say they’re shaken by the news and hoping answers come soon.
Police have urged anyone who might have seen something or has information that could help to reach out. Greensboro/Guilford Crime Stoppers can be contacted at 336‑373‑1000. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the P3tips app or online at P3tips.com.
This incident marks only the second homicide reported in Greensboro this year, a reminder that even calm neighborhoods can face moments of sudden violence. The community’s response has been measured but concerned, with residents hoping for clarity as police continue their work.
At this point, investigators have not released suspect information or motive, and police say more updates will come as they are able to share them with the public. For now, the Patterson Street community is left with questions and the hope that someone will step forward with answers.
