In the early hours of August 7, 2020, the life of 38-year-old Alison I. Salisbury was tragically cut short in a violent shooting in the town of Conklin, New York. The incident unfolded around 12:20 a.m. at an apartment complex located at 1205 Conklin Road. When New York State Police arrived at the scene, they discovered Salisbury and another woman, Shannon Brooks, in the parking lot with gunshot wounds.
Salisbury was pronounced dead at the scene, while Brooks had sustained an injury to her hand.
Investigators quickly identified a suspect, 45-year-old Lance Johnson of Binghamton. It was revealed that Johnson had been stalking Brooks in the month leading up to the fatal encounter. An alert was issued to local law enforcement, and a Binghamton police officer apprehended Johnson shortly after the shooting. A semi-automatic handgun was recovered during the investigation.
Johnson was subsequently charged with a litany of serious offenses, including second-degree murder for the death of Alison Salisbury and second-degree attempted murder for the injuries inflicted upon Shannon Brooks. The charges also included first-degree criminal use of a firearm, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, fourth-degree stalking, and tampering with physical evidence.
The case proceeded to trial, where the jury heard testimony, including from the surviving victim, Shannon Brooks. After deliberations that lasted less than two hours, the jury found Lance Johnson guilty on all counts in July 2022. The Broome County District Attorney's Office announced its intention to seek the maximum possible sentence for Johnson, which could amount to 55 years to life in prison. His sentencing was scheduled for October 2022.
