The recent "Peace in the Hood" gathering was marred by a shooting that resulted in three arrests and multiple injuries. CBS12 has reported the latest development in the case, with the arrest of Javon Johnson, 19, on serious charges that include attempted second-degree murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He's also charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and firing a weapon in public.
Johnson, identified as a member of the "16th Ave Boys," was apprehended with the help of surveillance footage, where his distinctive neck tattoo gave him away. He was allegedly involved in a gang shootout during the event at Sara Sims Park on June 29, which inadvertently pulled in bystanders to the fray—leaving three women injured, as per CBS12 News.
Amidst the chaos, WPBF has noted that Johnson was seen firing his weapon while on the run, effectively placing innocent lives in grave danger. This event saw nearly 500 attendees, including families and children seeking to promote peace, that quickly escalated to violence between gangs. Jamarion Keylon Petty and Travonte Edwards, who were both previously arrested and charged in the same incident, were linked to the violence that has rocked the community.
A woman, according to information obtained by CBS12, while attending with her children, was shot in the femur and had to seek refuge under a vehicle. The event, which was originally denied a permit by the city due to staffing limitations, went ahead unchecked, prompting one of the victims, Diamond Delk, to sue the city for not providing adequate protection to attendees. The rally's turnout far exceeded expectations; the application anticipated mere 20 attendees, yet it burgeoned into hundreds. Police maintain that the shooting occurred outside city properties and assert that the event was not officially sanctioned.
Several vehicles were damaged, and more bystanders suffered minor injuries due to the ensuing chaos. Police have extended a call to action, urging the public to come forward with any additional video or information that could assist in their ongoing investigation, as detailed by WPBF.
