In the early morning hours of a summer day in Lansing, Michigan, the life of 19-year-old Damon Lamar Johnson Jr. was tragically cut short. On June 14, 2021, Johnson, a Black male, was among a large group of people gathered at Rotary Park when gunfire erupted, shattering the peace of the night. He was struck by the bullets and, despite the efforts of first responders, succumbed to his injuries.
The violence of that night did not spare others.
Marshawn Beard, a 16-year-old, was also killed in the shooting, turning a local park into the scene of a double homicide. Two other teenagers, a 17-year-old male and a 14-year-old female, were wounded in the incident, caught in a senseless act of violence that left a community in mourning. Johnson was remembered by his family as a beloved son and brother with an infectious smile who had a passion for music and enjoyed spending time in the recording studio.
In the wake of the shooting, the Lansing Police Department launched an investigation into the deaths of Johnson and Beard. However, the case has proven to be a difficult one to solve. Despite appeals to the public for information, no suspects have been identified, and no arrests have been made in connection with the double homicide. The case is now considered a cold case, a painful reality for a family and community still seeking justice and closure for the loss of a young man with a promising future. The investigation remains open, with law enforcement continuing to seek any information that could lead to the apprehension of those responsible for the deaths of Damon Lamar Johnson Jr. and Marshawn Beard.
