In the late hours of November 10, 2015, John Jay Johnson, a 17-year-old Caucasian male, was at his home on North Whidbey when he was interrupted by a knock at the door. He had been on a video chat with his girlfriend just moments before. When he answered the door, he was shot in the head. A friend of the family discovered him unconscious and bleeding in the early morning of November 11th and called for help. Johnson was rushed to a local hospital and then airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, but he never regained consciousness. He died from the gunshot wound on November 13, 2015.
The investigation into the shooting quickly led to the arrests of four young adults from Oak Harbor who were known to Johnson. The suspects were identified as Brian Rayford, 20, David Nunez, Jr., 19, Kitana Hernandez, 19, and Derek Reeder, who was 16 at the time. Detectives determined that the motive for the murder stemmed from Nunez being upset with Johnson over a $400 impound fee for his car, which Johnson had borrowed. The investigation revealed that Nunez had acquired a. 22-caliber handgun, and the group had planned to either assault or shoot Johnson.
According to police reports, on the night of the shooting, Hernandez drove the three male suspects to Johnson's residence. Rayford and Reeder then approached the house. After a brief conversation with Johnson at the door, Rayford fired the gun, striking him. Rayford later admitted to closing his eyes and turning his head as he pulled the trigger. He and Reeder then fled back to the car. The handgun used in the shooting was later disposed of by being thrown into the water.
All four suspects were charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Brian Rayford, the shooter, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and agreed to testify against the others. He was sentenced to more than 24 years in prison. David Nunez, Jr., who instigated the plan and provided the weapon, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and received a 25-year prison sentence. Kitana Hernandez, the driver, pleaded guilty to first-degree rendering criminal assistance and was sentenced to three years in prison. Derek Reeder, who accompanied the shooter to the door, was sentenced to a juvenile facility until he turned 21.
