Joseph Torres, a 27-year-old man from West Chester, PA, tragically died on July 28, 2015, a day after being shot in the head. Born in 1988 in Bronx, NY, Torres was the loving husband of Victoria L. Torres and the father of a young daughter, Leah. He was employed as a union carpenter and enjoyed playing basketball.
On the evening of July 27, 2015, Torres was involved in a drug deal gone wrong. He had arranged to purchase Percocet pills from Leyron D.
Johns, a 20-year-old man from Chester, PA. The meeting took place behind Mano's Gulf station on Kerlin Street. During the transaction, Johns pulled out a gun and shot Torres in the back of the head. Video surveillance footage showed Johns shooting Torres once in the head. After the shooting, Ronald Myers, a 23-year-old accomplice, helped Johns by pushing Torres and driving Torres' truck to an alley.
Torres was found bleeding from the gunshot wound and was taken to Crozer Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries the following day. The investigation led by Delaware County Detective Adam Sendak and Chester Detective Patrick Mullen revealed that Torres was robbed before being shot. Myers later cooperated with authorities and testified against Johns, which was crucial in securing a conviction.
Leyron D. Johns was found guilty of first-degree murder, robbery, and possession of an instrument of crime. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Ronald Myers, who pleaded guilty to third-degree murder, robbery, and conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance, received a sentence of 14 to 28 years in state prison.
The case highlighted the dangers of drug-related transactions and the impact of such crimes on families and communities. Torres' family, especially his widow and young daughter, were left to cope with the devastating loss and the emotional aftermath of his death.
