In the summer of 2021, the life of a promising young athlete was tragically cut short on the streets of West Philadelphia. Sixteen-year-old Kaylin Johnson, known to his friends and family as KJ, was shot and killed on Wednesday, July 21, 2021. A student at Boys' Latin Charter School, Johnson was remembered as a 'freak athlete' who excelled in every sport he tried, with a particular love for football.
He and his mother, Emily Johnson, were inseparable, and his death left a void in the lives of those who knew him for his infectious smile and kind, respectful nature.
On that summer afternoon, Johnson was in a car with his childhood friend, 18-year-old Tommie Frazier, and another 16-year-old friend. They were on their way to play basketball when their vehicle was stopped on the 200 block of North 56th Street. In a brazen daylight attack, gunmen opened fire on the car, striking all three teenagers. Johnson was shot multiple times in his chest and stomach and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Frazier also died from his wounds, while the third teen in the car survived. Investigators later revealed that the teenagers were not the intended targets of the shooting.
The investigation into the double homicide led to the arrests of Arshad Curry and Raheis Sherman. According to police, Curry and Sherman, members of a West Philadelphia gang known as the Young Bag Chasers followed the teens from a school. When the victims' car stopped at a red light, Curry allegedly exited a minivan driven by Sherman and fired at least 17 shots into the vehicle.
In December 2021, Arshad Curry, then 19, was charged with two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of Johnson and Frazier. In April 2022, police announced the arrest of 20-year-old Raheis Sherman, who was charged with murder and conspiracy for his role as the getaway driver. In August 2024, Arshad Curry, then 22, pleaded guilty to three counts of third-degree murder, two counts of conspiracy, attempted murder, and assault of a law enforcement officer for this and another deadly shooting. He was sentenced to a term of 42.5 to 85 years in state prison.
