Terry David Johnson, 54

Aug. 17, 2009, 2:21 a.m.

Terry Johnson, a 54-year-old black man, was shot several times and died Monday, Aug. 17. He was shot in the 11900 block of South Central Avenue in Green Meadows, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office, said Johnson was parked and sitting in the driver's seat of his car at 1:40 a.m. when someone came up and shot him. He was taken to a hospital, where he died at 2:21 a.m., Winter said.

[Updated at 2:35 p.m. Sept. 10: LAPD Det. Sal LaBarbera said there has been no progress on the case.

LaBarbera said Johnson was sitting in his car with a friend when a lone gunman walked up to them and fired several shots. Johnson's friend was not injured in the incident. They were parked across the street from a motorcycle club at the time of the shooting.

LaBarbera said he does not have a description of the suspect, or a motive for the shooting. No witnesses have come forward. He said the way the shooting took place made him think the gunman was likely affiliated with a gang but he said there was no indication that Johnson was a gang member.

Anyone with information about this killing should call LAPD homicide detectives at (213) 485-4341.]

-- Anthony Pesce

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10 reader comments

i miss my dad so much it hurts so bad! well when i fount out my dad was dead it was crazy cus i was omw to south west from summer camp and i wanted him to pick me up & this was aug 19th 2009 2:00pm and my step mom said nothing so i went and my sister and aunty told me my dad died i swear my heart fell down my chest i cry'd cry'd iloved my dad so much and all he wanted was the best for his nene and i didnt give it to him at that time but now i know he looking down from me smiling saying "THATS MY NENE I KNEW SHE COULD DO IT" and i wish god would have waited a lil more longer then to take him but he doesnt have to stress abt anything now he is stressless ily dad ur nene gal always & forever & to everybody were all doing good im about to graduate to college & JR is ok he can be doing better but hey he is still struggling from the BIG LOST & the lil ones are getting big thank you all for yall concern he is happy to be loved still his love will grow long

— your nene Jan. 27, 2012 at 10:56 p.m.

Clarification,

I don't believe my first post was clear enough and at first glance it might seem a little rough.

I spent around a year with Terry in prison in the same housing unit. I want his family and friends to know what I witnessed behind those prison walls.

We were on a Level III Yard which means things could get bloody on short notice. Terry had the respect of his peers and his word carried some weight among them. Terry carried himself like a man in prison and there is no higher honor in prison than that.

Terry was a great communicator and if he wasn't calming a beef he was playing cards. Terry loved to play cards and I can still clearly see him slamming his cards on that cold steel table.

Terry had a cane in prison and what impressed me the most was he still walked like a "G" with it. I don't believe Terry really needed it but I think he just wanted it handy to smash somebody in the head if they disrespected him.

I had conversations every single day with Terry for a year and I knew him very well. I am truly sorry for your loss. I was shocked to come across his picture by chance and learn that he had been murdered. I honestly wish I could have been there that night to prevent what happened.

I hope you all are doing well, God bless.

— Superman March 9, 2011 at 4:52 p.m.

"He said the way the shooting took place made him think the gunman was likely affiliated with a gang but he said there was no indication that Johnson was a gang member."

Johnson was a Crip in prison, don't know if he dropped out after that. Johnson had some "Juice" and the other Crips respected his word. Johnson wasn't a "Shot-Caller" for the Crips but his word carried weight with them.

Johnson was a "M.A.C Rep" in prison which means he would talk to other black convicts and voice their concerns with the prison administration.

Like I said, Johnson was a good man and I am truly sad to see that he passed on. To his family and friends I just want you to know that he was respected in prison and he carried himself like a man in there.

We had many hours of conversations in prison and he observed me in numerous fights during our year together. Johnson loved to play cards and I can still picture him with his cane across his lap slamming those cards on the table top.

I'm sad to see you go, my condolences.

— Superman March 3, 2011 at 8:59 a.m.

The Homicide Report

Terry David Johnson, 54

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