In Aurora, Colorado, on the evening of October 20, 2022, a dispute over a paycheck tragically escalated, ending the life of 52-year-old Marvin James Johnson. A beloved husband and father, Johnson was the co-owner of a security company, American Eagle Protective Services, which he ran with his wife. He was a man known for his generosity and willingness to help others, often giving people a second chance by offering them employment.
The series of events leading to his death began earlier
that day when a new employee, Lloyd C. Love Jr., received his first paycheck. Love, who had only worked for the company for a few days, became angered by a typographical error on the check that prevented him from cashing it. After a heated phone call with Johnson's wife, a meeting was arranged for that evening at the Raytheon building on Centretech Parkway, where Johnson's company provided security services.
Marvin Johnson arrived at the location to provide Love with a corrected check. Witnesses reported that after a brief interaction, Love raised a handgun and shot Johnson multiple times. Even after Johnson fell to the ground, Love continued to fire. Love then fled the scene but was apprehended by Aurora police about an hour later. A handgun was found on the passenger seat of the vehicle he was in.
Lloyd C. Love Jr. was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. During questioning, he admitted to the shooting, stating that he felt intimidated and disrespected by Johnson. It was also revealed that Love had a history of mental health issues. He had been released on a personal recognizance bond for a previous assault charge just months before the fatal shooting. The check that sparked the deadly confrontation was for approximately $100.
