Bennie Johnson, a 29-year-old African American male from Rockford, Illinois, was tragically shot to death on December 20, 2020. The incident occurred around 1:05 p.m. in the parking lot behind 1021 Broadway. According to reports, Johnson's roommate testified that he was taking out the trash when he saw Johnson run down the exterior stairs of their apartment, followed by Antwain Storey, a 16-year-old from Chicago, who then shot Johnson before fleeing the scene in a vehicle.
The vehicle used in the crime was later found with residue of Johnson's blood on the exterior, and it was registered to Storey's mother. Storey was arrested on May 14, 2021, in Chicago. The Winnebago County State's Attorney's office charged him with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Bennie Johnson.
During the trial, Johnson's roommate provided crucial testimony, describing the events leading up to the shooting. The jury found Storey guilty of first-degree murder on May 22, 2024. Due to the fact that Storey was a juvenile at the time of the crime, his maximum sentence was capped at 40 years in prison. Ultimately, Storey was sentenced to 30 years for the murder of Bennie Johnson.
The case highlights the tragic loss of a young life and the subsequent legal proceedings that sought justice for Bennie Johnson. The community of Rockford, Illinois, was deeply affected by this senseless act of violence, and the trial brought some closure to those who knew and loved Johnson.
