On June 10, 2023, at approximately 12:30 p.m., Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) officers responded to a welfare check in the 500 block of Peppervine Lane in the Steele Creek Division of Charlotte, North Carolina. Upon arrival, they discovered 33-year-old Justin Lavon Johnson with an apparent gunshot wound; he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The following day, June 11, 2023, CMPD's Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) arrested 48-year-old Lawrence Arnold Jackson in connection with Johnson's death. Jackson was transported to the Law Enforcement Center in Uptown Charlotte for an interview with detectives. After the interview, he was charged with murder and transferred to the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office.
Reports indicate that Johnson and Jackson were roommates at the time of the incident. Johnson was employed in stage production and electronics setup for concerts and theatrical plays. A GoFundMe campaign was established to assist with funeral expenses, highlighting Johnson's roles as a hardworking individual, son, brother, and father.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Johnson's death remains active and ongoing. CMPD has urged anyone with information about the incident to contact their Homicide Unit or provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
