On a December night in 2018, what began as a festive Christmas party at the Suga Shak nightclub in Jonesville, Louisiana, ended in tragedy for 23-year-old Dajohn Mitchell. An African American male known for his kind and down-to-earth nature, Mitchell was enjoying the evening when an altercation erupted, tragically cutting his life short.
The initial investigation into the chaotic scene was hampered by a lack of cooperation from partygoers.
However, a breakthrough came when witnesses identified the shooter as a man wearing a distinctive bright red 'NASA' shirt. This man was soon identified as Jordan Damonte Johnson, a 25-year-old local rapper who performed under the stage name 'Yungen Gunnin.' According to accounts from the trial, the dispute began when Mitchell bumped into a member of Johnson's entourage who was filming his performance. Enraged, Johnson pushed Mitchell, escalating the confrontation into a physical fight. Johnson then produced a. 380 pistol, shooting Mitchell in the back. As Mitchell fell to the floor, Johnson stood over him and fired four more times.
Shortly after the shooting, law enforcement apprehended Johnson at his residence in Natchez, Mississippi. At the time of his arrest, authorities also found marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and clothing matching the description of what he wore during the incident. Johnson, who had a prior conviction for aggravated assault, was charged with second-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Despite his claims of innocence and a not guilty plea in court, a jury found Jordan Damonte Johnson guilty on all charges in December 2021. In January 2022, he was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Dajohn Mitchell, with an additional 20 years for the firearm charge, to be served consecutively, without the possibility of parole. His conviction was later upheld by the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal. Johnson is currently incarcerated at the Louisiana State Penitentiary.
