Herbert Johnson, a 23-year-old Bethune-Cookman University graduate, was tragically shot and killed on January 15, 2018, outside a Waffle House in Orange County, Orlando, Florida. The incident occurred around 3 a.m. on East Colonial Drive near North Alafaya Trail. Johnson, who was known affectionately as "Herb" by his family and friends, was involved in an altercation between two groups of people in the restaurant's parking lot. The confrontation escalated, leading to Johnson being shot twice.
He succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The investigation into Johnson's death revealed that the altercation began when Johnson and his friends returned to their car after ordering food. An argument ensued with another group, which included Al-Jalil Shaki Byrd, Jaelynn Castillo, and Donnell Holley. Witnesses reported that Holley retrieved a gun from his car and handed it to Castillo, who then pointed it at Johnson and threatened to shoot him. Castillo subsequently passed the gun to Byrd, who fired the fatal shots. Byrd, also known as "Fooley," was later charged with first-degree murder following a three-month manhunt. Castillo faced charges of aggravated assault, while Holley was charged as a principal to first-degree murder.
The case garnered significant attention due to the senseless nature of the crime and Johnson's promising future. He had graduated with honors and was well-regarded by his teachers and peers. His death was a devastating blow to his community, especially considering that he had already endured the loss of his mother, who was killed in a robbery in 2009. The legal proceedings against the suspects involved multiple court appearances and extensive investigations, highlighting the complexities of the case and the efforts to bring justice for Johnson and his family.
