On a Wednesday in Columbus, Georgia, just five days before Christmas in 2017, the life of 68-year-old Joseph Howard Johnson III was tragically cut short in an act of violence. A retired Army staff sergeant, Johnson was working at the Columbus Pawn Shop on Fort Benning Road when a robbery turned deadly. During the commission of the crime, a shootout occurred, and Johnson sustained a fatal gunshot wound.
He was a male who had served his country for 20 years, retiring as a Staff Sergeant at Fort Benning.
The investigation into the robbery and homicide led to the identification of suspects, including a teenager. One of the individuals involved, Marquiell Wilson, was brought to justice for his role in the fatal shooting. In March of 2019, Wilson pleaded guilty to his involvement in the death of Joseph Howard Johnson III. Following his plea, Wilson was sentenced for his part in the crime that took the life of the Army veteran. As part of the court proceedings, a statement written by Wilson was read aloud by his attorney after the sentence was handed down.
