In the early hours of Sunday, March 16, 2025, the community of Hyannis, Massachusetts, was shaken by an act of violence that claimed the life of 41-year-old Tony Johnson, a Black male resident of the town. The fatal encounter unfolded around 1:00 a.m. in a parking lot on North Street, near Washington Street.
Barnstable police officers responded to the scene after receiving reports of a gunshot. Upon arrival, they discovered Johnson on the ground with a single gunshot wound to his head.
Bystanders were attempting to help, and officers immediately began administering CPR and using a defibrillator before Hyannis Fire Department paramedics arrived. Johnson was rushed to Cape Cod Hospital, but his injury was too severe. He was pronounced dead at approximately 1:38 a.m.
Witnesses at the scene reported hearing a single gunshot and seeing a dark-colored pickup truck speeding away from the area. This crucial piece of information led law enforcement on a swift path to a suspect. Shortly after the shooting, police in the neighboring town of Yarmouth located a vehicle matching the description in the parking lot of a convenience store.
Inside the truck was 36-year-old Alex Greene of West Yarmouth, who was found sobbing with his hands in the air. His wife, who had called 911, was also present and directed officers to a firearm that had been placed on the ground near the vehicle. Greene was taken into custody without incident.
Subsequent investigation revealed the tragic incident allegedly stemmed from a brief and sudden confrontation. It is believed that Johnson was urinating near a car in the parking lot when he inadvertently exposed himself to Greene's wife. This act is reported to have prompted Greene to fire the fatal shot. Greene was arraigned in Barnstable District Court, where he pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder. He is being held without bail pending future court proceedings. The Cape and Islands District Attorney's Office has described the shooting as an isolated incident.
