On an unfortunate spring evening in Ripley, Tennessee, a violent encounter cut short the life of 29-year-old William Black. The incident, which unfolded on April 21, 2019, took place at a residence on Church Street. Black, who was visiting the home, sustained fatal injuries during a shooting that also left another individual critically wounded.
The investigation into the double shooting was a collaborative effort involving the Ripley Police Department and the Tennessee Bureau of
Investigation. Their work led them to identify Terry Johnson as the alleged shooter. Johnson turned himself in to authorities on April 22, 2019. Further investigation revealed the shooting was connected to a robbery, and a second suspect, Antonio Gause, was identified as a participant in the robbery that led to Black's death.
In February 2020, a Lauderdale County Grand Jury returned indictments against both men. Gause was indicted on charges of First Degree Felony Murder, Especially Aggravated Robbery, and Accessory After the Fact. He was arrested and booked into the Lauderdale County Jail with a bond set at $500,000. Johnson faced a more extensive list of charges, including First Degree Felony Murder, First Degree Premeditated Murder, Especially Aggravated Robbery, Felony Possession of a Firearm, Attempted First Degree Murder, and Tampering with a Tracking Device. He also faced two counts of Employing a Firearm during the Commission of a Dangerous Felony. Johnson had remained incarcerated since his surrender in April 2019.
