Jarvis Johnson, a 38-year-old resident of Pensacola, Florida, was fatally shot on September 9, 2023, in the Oak Crest neighborhood of Escambia County. The incident occurred around 10:30 in the morning, with Johnson found dead outside a home, having suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
The investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff's Office revealed that Johnson was shot at close range.
Sheriff Chip Simmons emphasized the unusual timing of the shooting, noting that it occurred in a public area during a time when witnesses might have been present, yet no one seems to have reported seeing the shooter.
Johnson's family has been deeply affected by his death, with his brother Averil describing him as a well-known and beloved member of the community. Averil expressed his grief and called for the shooter to turn themselves in, emphasizing the pain and hurt caused by the crime.
The investigation also uncovered a possible connection between this shooting and a previous incident in May 2023, where Johnson was injured in another shooting. Johnson had not been forthcoming about the circumstances of the earlier shooting, which has led investigators to explore whether there is a link between the two incidents.
On October 12, 2023, Jerry Foster Jr., a 26-year-old cousin of Jarvis Johnson, was charged with first-degree premeditated murder in connection with Johnson's death. Foster had a history of violence against Johnson, including a previous incident where he shot Johnson in the hand. Family members reported that Johnson had been receiving death threats from Foster since the May incident.
Foster was initially arrested on an unrelated charge involving holding a woman and child hostage but was subsequently linked to Johnson's murder. Witnesses reported seeing Foster running in the area about 30-45 minutes after the shooting, which further implicated him in the crime.
