Howard White, a 47-year-old retired U.S. Marine, was fatally shot in the Olney section of Philadelphia shortly before 1 a.m. on a Thursday in late June 2017. A veteran who had served in Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Iraq, he was a male. The incident that led to his death began inside the Green Parrot Tavern.
White and his cousin were at the bar when another man, later identified as 25-year-old Randy Johnson, entered. After a brief interaction, White and his group escorted Johnson outside.
While they were talking on the sidewalk, the situation escalated. Johnson allegedly disarmed White, who was carrying his Marine service pistol, and then shot him. White was struck in the head and torso and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Following the shooting, Johnson fled and was pursued by White's cousin, who was also armed. Johnson fired at the cousin but did not hit him. He then broke into a house a few blocks away in an attempt to hide. The homeowner and his adult son confronted Johnson, subdued him, and held him until police arrived. The authorities recovered White's gun, which had a Marine emblem on it, from Johnson.
Randy Johnson was arrested and subsequently ordered to stand trial on charges including murder, attempted murder, assault, and burglary.
