In the early morning hours of September 3, 2024, a senseless act of violence cut short the life of 31-year-old Markus Dixon in Plattsburgh, New York. Dixon, a man remembered by his family as a determined and positive influence who overcame a challenging childhood to become the first in his family to graduate from high school and college, was shot multiple times in the chest on Cornelia Street.
He was rushed to the UVM Health Network's Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Dixon had dreams of becoming a law enforcement officer.
The tragic events of that morning began with a minor altercation outside a downtown pizzeria. Erica Colon, then 21 years old, was involved in a dispute with Dixon, during which witnesses indicated she was struck by him. Following this incident, Colon contacted her boyfriend, 24-year-old Chazz Johnson. Together, they sought out Dixon. They found him walking back to his residence at 137 Cornelia Street, where Johnson shot him at close range.
A swift and collaborative effort by multiple law enforcement agencies led to the quick identification and apprehension of the suspects. Johnson and Colon were located at a motel in Beekmantown and taken into custody after a brief standoff. Investigators recovered a handgun that matched the ballistics evidence from the scene of the shooting.
Chazz Johnson was charged with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon, while Erica Colon faced charges of conspiracy and criminal possession of a weapon. In April 2025, Johnson pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, second-degree conspiracy, and multiple counts of criminal possession of a weapon. Subsequently, he was sentenced to the maximum term of 25 years to life in prison. Prosecutors highlighted Johnson's lack of remorse and the trivial nature of the events that led to the murder.
Erica Colon also pleaded guilty to second-degree conspiracy for her role in the crime. In July 2025, she was sentenced to two-to-six years in prison. During her sentencing, prosecutors emphasized that Colon's actions directly led to Dixon's death and noted her lack of remorse throughout the legal proceedings. In addition to her prison sentence, Colon was ordered to pay restitution for Dixon's funeral expenses.
