In the summer of 2021, a young man who was starting a new chapter in his life was killed in Phoenix, Arizona. Dequan Kione E. Johnson, a 24-year-old Black man, was described by his father, Monte Belliard, as a "good kid that was trying to find love." Johnson had recently entered a new relationship and, according to his father, had fallen in love.
On the evening of Wednesday, June 23, 2021, Johnson’s life was cut short.
Just before 10 p.m., Phoenix police officers responded to reports of a shooting in the area of 35th and Glendale avenues. They found Johnson at the scene with gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Investigators determined that the deadly incident likely stemmed from an argument between Johnson and the ex-husband of his new girlfriend. Police identified the suspect as 47-year-old Ngon Truong.
Following the shooting, Ngon Truong was arrested. According to police, Truong admitted to the crime. He was subsequently held on a $1 million bond while the case proceeded through the legal system.
For Johnson’s family, the loss was devastating. "No parent wants to bury their child," his father said. "I’m forced … I was forced to bury mine." A GoFundMe was established to help the family with memorial costs. As of the time of the arrest, the case was in litigation.
