In the late summer of 2014, the life of Demarcus Johnson, a 38-year-old Black / African American man, was tragically cut short in Springfield, Massachusetts. On September 7, his death was the result of a fatal shooting that occurred during a robbery that went horribly wrong. Johnson, who was from East Hartford, Connecticut, was lured to a specific location by a woman he knew.
The events of that fateful day were set in motion by a planned robbery.
A woman named Miss Pesalano was in contact with Nathanial Ramos and led Demarcus Johnson in his Cadillac to Overlook Drive, just off of Pond Road in Springfield. As Pesalano approached the front of Johnson's car, Ramos and another individual, Mr. Yanos, appeared from around the corner. A short time later, Ramos, now armed with a firearm, and Yanos ran back toward Johnson's car.
With his gun drawn, Ramos demanded that Johnson empty his pockets. At the time, Johnson was standing outside the driver's side of his car with his back to the vehicle. Both Ramos and Yanos attempted to go through Johnson's pockets. After taking some change and his watch, a struggle ensued. Ramos struck Johnson in the head with his. 40 caliber handgun. The impact caused the weapon to discharge, firing a single bullet into the top of Johnson's head. He collapsed to the ground, and the three assailants fled the scene.
Following an investigation into the homicide, Nathanial Ramos was arrested. He later admitted to his role in the botched robbery and the fatal shooting of Demarcus Johnson. His confession detailed the plan to rob Johnson and the sequence of events that led to the unintentional, yet deadly, discharge of his firearm.
