On February 14, 2024, 21-year-old Natajah "Taj" Demetrius Johnson was fatally shot while sitting in his car outside Master Kutz barbershop in west Charlotte, North Carolina. He was waiting to get a haircut when another vehicle approached, and occupants opened fire using a firearm equipped with an automatic Glock switch, enabling rapid discharge of bullets. Multiple shots were fired, leaving numerous bullet holes in Johnson's vehicle.
Emergency responders transported him to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Johnson was an employee at Spare Time Bowling in Huntersville and aspired to become a rapper. He had recently been preparing to become a father for the first time, eagerly anticipating the birth of his daughter. His family described him as a hardworking individual who was deeply loved and had a supportive family network.
Following an investigation, on February 23, 2024, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department arrested three individuals in connection with Johnson's murder: 21-year-old Khalil Lateef Bass, 22-year-old Kenya Romain Venable Jr., and 23-year-old Akilah Theresa Parham. Bass and Venable were charged with murder and discharging a weapon into occupied property. Parham was charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder and filing a false police report, as she allegedly assisted Venable by falsely reporting her vehicle stolen, which was used during the commission of the crime.
The arrests provided some solace to Johnson's grieving family, who expressed gratitude for the swift action taken by law enforcement. They continue to mourn the loss of a beloved son, cousin, and soon-to-be father, whose life was tragically cut short by senseless violence.
