John Harvey 'Johnny G' Gallaher, a White/Caucasian male, was a country-and-western disc jockey and bass guitarist in Richmond, Virginia. On the night of September 14, 1979, Gallaher was performing with his band at a nightclub in South Richmond. During a break, he stepped outside and was abducted by the notorious Briley gang.
The perpetrators were identified as brothers Linwood, James, and Anthony Briley, and their accomplice, Duncan Meekins.
They forced Gallaher into the trunk of his own car, drove him to Mayo's Island, robbed him, and then shot and killed him. This violent act was part of a larger crime spree by the Briley gang that terrorized the Richmond community with numerous murders, rapes, and robberies throughout 1979.
Following an extensive investigation, the Briley brothers were apprehended. For their roles in the crime spree, including the murder of John Gallaher, Linwood and James Briley were sentenced to death. Linwood Briley was executed in 1984, followed by James in 1985. Anthony Briley received a life sentence for his involvement.
