John Weeks, a 50-year-old male, was a hardworking owner of a towing and impound business in Phoenix, Arizona, a legacy he was building for his children. His life was tragically cut short on Friday, April 2, 2021, when he was shot and killed at his workplace near 36th and Van Buren streets. The father of three was found by his eldest daughter, who had returned from a break.
Just three months prior, the family had endured the sudden loss of the children's mother.
The events leading to Weeks' death began a day earlier when a man, later identified as Donovan Johnson, became angry at the towing business because he could not provide proof of ownership to retrieve a vehicle. Johnson, who stated he had just been released from jail and had no identification, reportedly became upset and left, warning, 'my name is Donovan Johnson, you remember that and I will be back'. The following day, Johnson returned and the fatal shooting occurred.
Phoenix police arrested Donovan Johnson in connection with the murder. Investigators tied him to the scene through a stolen vehicle he was seen leaving in. According to police, Johnson, a convicted felon, admitted to shooting Weeks after feeling 'disrespected' and snapping. He was subsequently arrested and faced first-degree murder charges. Johnson was held on a two-million-dollar cash bond and also faced nine other charges, including armed robbery.
Family and friends remembered John Weeks as a man who would give the shirt off his back to help someone in need and who provided second chances by employing people who were down on their luck. His mother was left to grieve the loss of her last living child. Weeks' death left his children without either of their parents and his business closed as the family navigated their profound loss.
