In a senseless act of violence just days before Christmas, a beloved member of the Atlanta community was taken from his family and friends. Jerome Johnson, a 39-year-old Black man, was fatally shot on December 19, 2022, in what Gwinnett County police described as a road rage incident. The altercation occurred in the parking lot of Will Henry's Tavern in Stone Mountain, where Johnson was a nighttime manager.
The tragic events unfolded when Johnson, sitting in his SUV, had a confrontation
with Jonnathan Bladimir Hernandez, a 27-year-old from Lilburn who was on his bicycle. The argument escalated, leading Hernandez to pull out a firearm and shoot Johnson. After the shooting, Hernandez fled the scene. Emergency services rushed Johnson to a local hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries.
Later that evening, police received a call about a suspicious person matching Hernandez's description. Law enforcement, including patrol cars, a K-9 unit, and a helicopter, responded to the location provided by the caller. Hernandez surrendered to the police without incident and was taken into custody. On the morning of December 20, he was charged with felony murder and aggravated assault.
The community was left heartbroken by the loss of Johnson, who was remembered by friends and co-workers as a kind and beloved father figure who always looked out for others. A memorial was created for him at his place of work, where he was a valued member of the staff. His employers at Will Henry's Tavern expressed their deep sadness, stating he was a part of their family who would be missed more than words can say. The tragedy was particularly poignant as it occurred shortly after the tavern's annual employee holiday party, which Johnson had attended with his parents.
