On October 23, 2022, the life of a well-regarded local entrepreneur came to a violent and premature end in Charleston, Missouri. Rodney Rigay Johnson Sr., a 50-year-old Black male, was discovered dead inside a residence following a shooting incident that prompted an immediate homicide investigation by the Charleston Department of Public Safety. The discovery marked a tragic conclusion for a man known in the community for his business endeavors and deep family ties.
Born on July 22, 1972,
to parents Howard Lee Chisolm and Odessa Jennings Johnson, Rodney had built a diverse life that took him from the halls of Charleston High School to Michigan, where he completed his GED. He eventually returned to the region, establishing himself as a businessman who owned and operated APES Auto Sales in nearby Bertrand. Beyond his automotive work, he had earned certification as a nursing assistant in 2019. Friends and family knew him best for his love of playing cards and the time he dedicated to his circle of loved ones, including his children and siblings.
Despite the immediate launch of an investigation by local authorities into the Sunday morning shooting, the case has faced significant challenges in identifying those responsible. Public records and reports following the incident have not indicated any successful arrests or the naming of specific suspects in connection with his murder. The investigation has remained open, with no charges filed or convictions secured, leaving the circumstances surrounding the fatal event unresolved in the public record.
