In the late afternoon of January 27, 2017, tragedy struck in Mobile, Alabama, forever altering the lives of one family. On that day, 45-year-old Johnathan Carstarphen, a male, was fatally shot outside an automotive business known as The Rim Shack, located on Wilson Avenue. The incident unfolded around 5:30 p.m. as Carstarphen was getting out of his vehicle in the parking lot. He was struck by a gunshot to the back of his head.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find him critically injured. He was rushed to a local hospital, but tragically, he succumbed to the severe wound.
The investigation into the homicide was aided by crucial evidence captured on surveillance footage at the scene of the crime. This evidence proved vital for law enforcement in identifying a person of interest. Investigators determined that Carstarphen was acquainted with his alleged assailant, although a specific motive for the deadly shooting was not publicly disclosed by the police.
Within days of the shooting, authorities made an arrest in the case. On February 2, 2017, Michael Dean Johnson, who was 40 years old at the time, was taken into custody and formally charged with the murder of Johnathan Carstarphen. Following his arrest, Johnson was released on bond. However, his freedom was temporary. In November 2019, his bond was revoked, and he was re-arrested. Court records indicated that his trial was set to commence on November 18, 2019. Funeral services for Johnathan Carstarphen were held on February 4, 2017, at Philadelphia Baptist Church in Mobile, where family and friends gathered to mourn their loss.
