In the early morning hours of August 2, 2020, the life of 25-year-old Briana Nichol Johnson was tragically cut short in Kansas City, Missouri. A graduate of Raytown South High School, she was a mother to a young daughter and was employed at a dental office in Independence.
On that fateful Sunday, Johnson was at a friend's home in the 7100 block of Bales Avenue when her boyfriend, 27-year-old DeCarlos D. Carrell, arrived around 4 a.m.
Witnesses reported that Carrell, armed with a gun, was yelling for Johnson to come outside. When those inside the residence refused to open the door, Carrell fired a single shot into the house. That bullet struck and killed Briana. After fatally wounding her, Carrell proceeded to fire multiple rounds into her vehicle which was parked outside.
Law enforcement was called to the scene, and an investigation quickly pointed to Carrell as the suspect. He had a history of felony convictions, including two for firearms offenses. A neighbor's security camera captured video of a man, who identified himself as 'Carlos,' looking for 'Briana.' A witness from inside the house later identified Carrell in a police lineup.
Following the investigation, the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office charged DeCarlos D. Carrell with second-degree murder, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, and three counts of armed criminal action in connection with Briana Johnson's death. Prosecutors requested a bond of $150,000.
