Gary Russell Freeman on Instagram: "I was introduced to PJ by our mutual dear friend @ttsayswoah I didn’t recognize him at first (to this day I have not watched The Wire), just figured he was another hot Williamsburg dude with tattoos. I’d later come to find out he was in this indie film I screened years and years ago at a film festival in Philly (Ken Park, by Larry Clark). At the time I was hoarding big glossy fashion and culture mags, including The FACE. In my dorm I had the full fold-out cover spread on my wall on full display. It was a mini liberating moment to unapologetically have these homoerotic images of half naked men in the open. A coming of age indeed (no pun intended). After we got to know each other a little I finally confessed and we laughed about it and had good times making jokes about my crush. PJ was such a gentle, kind, and genuine guy. When he starred in Tangerine—which I was already anticipating because of both the queer themes and the movie being shot almost entirely on an iPhone. He knew I was fangirling by this point so he invited me to the screening. It was the sweetest thing. And that’s just who he was. Despite all of the preconceived notions anyone may have had from his hard exterior, tattoos, leather jacket or one the characters he’d played, he just was. I’m glad I got to connect with him. But it’s still heartbreaking."