On a grim Thanksgiving evening in Anderson, Indiana, the life of 24-year-old Brandon Boone was tragically cut short. The events unfolded on November 27, 2014, inside the Divine Styles-n-Cuts barbershop, where Boone was getting a haircut from the owner after hours. His brother was also present, watching television in the reception area, when two men forcibly entered the establishment.
One of the intruders brandished a handgun, while the other was armed with a baseball bat.
They immediately demanded money. While the shop owner complied with their demands, Boone moved toward the restroom, stating that he had no money. It was at this moment that the gunman fired a single shot, striking Boone in the back. The assailants then fled the scene.
Police later found Brandon Boone in the front yard of a neighboring home. He was rushed to St. Vincent's Anderson Hospital but succumbed to the gunshot wound shortly after his arrival. The violent intrusion left the community in shock and prompted an increased police presence in the area as the search for the perpetrators began.
In August of 2015, authorities arrested 26-year-old Raymond Rashard Johnson in connection with the murder. He was charged with murder, three counts of armed robbery, and two counts of aggravated battery. However, the prosecution faced significant hurdles. By December 2015, the murder charges against Johnson were dropped. Despite the dismissal of the most serious charge, Johnson remained in custody on other unrelated offenses. The investigation into the death of Brandon Boone has been hampered by challenges, and the case has yet to reach a definitive legal conclusion, leaving his family and community still searching for justice.
