Rosemary Oberg-Johnson, aged 59, from Grand Rapids, MN, tragically passed away on December 28, 2012, following a violent incident that occurred on December 22, 2012. On that day, Rosemary and her 32-year-old son, Paul Russell Johnson, were shot in their home. The suspect, William Levi Payne, aged 55, from Bovey, MN, was identified and charged with multiple felonies in connection with the shooting.
Payne had a history of violence and had previously been the subject of an order for protection.
On the day of the incident, Payne reportedly entered the Oberg-Johnson residence and opened fire, critically injuring both Rosemary and her son. Paul Johnson survived but remained in critical condition at a hospital in Duluth. A woman who had been granted an order for protection against Payne was present at the scene and witnessed the shooting. She reported hearing Payne yell before he began firing his weapon.
Following the shooting, Payne was apprehended and taken into custody at the Itasca County Jail. He faced charges including second-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, felony kidnapping, first-degree burglary, second-degree assault, and violating an order for protection. The charges were later amended to reflect the severity of the crime after Rosemary's death. Payne's trial was highly anticipated, given the brutal nature of the attack and his prior history of violence.
