Muhammaud Johnson, a 24-year-old male of African American ethnicity, tragically died on December 16, 2017, in Philadelphia, PA. He was shot once below the right side of his chest and once below the right side of his lower back on a street corner in Philadelphia. When authorities arrived at the scene, Johnson was found face down on the pavement.
The investigation into Johnson's death led to the arrest of Tarrell Rister, who was charged with first-degree murder and several related firearms
charges. Rister was accused of shooting Johnson and was awaiting trial for these charges. The case, Commonwealth v. Rister, is still ongoing in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County.
In addition to the criminal charges, there were also civil actions related to Johnson's death. Tarrell Rister filed a lawsuit against Philadelphia police officers Gregory Meyer and Michael T. Laverghetta, as well as two paramedics, alleging constitutional violations and negligence in the handling of Johnson's emergency medical needs. The lawsuit claimed that the officers and paramedics failed to provide timely medical assistance and drove Johnson to a hospital that was further away instead of the nearest one, resulting in his death.
The civil case, Rister v. Meyer, was dismissed by the court for lack of standing, but it highlighted the serious allegations of misconduct and negligence by the police and paramedics involved in the incident.
Johnson's death has sparked significant legal and public scrutiny, with ongoing litigation and investigations into the actions of those involved in his final moments.
