Snellville Homicide Confirmed as First of 2013 in Gwinnett
Murder charges may not be filed in this case, which occurred in the early morning hours of Jan. 5.
Updated Jan. 8, 4:14 p.m.
According to Snellville's Chief Roy Whitehead, an altercation between a young woman and her boyfriend culminated in the homicide of her father, as reported by the Gwinnett Daily Post.
The couple was initially involved in a domestic dispute near Briscoe Park, off Lenora Church Road. According to police reports, the woman left, but came back around 3 a.m. with her mother, father and a friend. The family began "pounding on the door" to Brown's home.
An altercation between 48-year-old Darrell Johnson and Derrick Brown, 21, ensued, in which Johnson beat Brown with a club repeatedly. The fight was broken up by the friend.
Johnson, of Covington, and his daughter then left the scene to retrieve some clothing. The place was trashed by the time the pair left, according to police.
When they came downstairs, Johnson began to beat Brown with a metal barbell, fracturing Brown's elbow.
Brown then drew a handgun from his pajama pocket and fired once at Mr. Johnson.
"When Johnson continued to approach Brown, he fired another shot at him," according to police. "Everyone ran outside and Mr. Johnson collapsed in the driveway where he succumbed to two gunshot wounds."
Mr. Brown then fired a third shot as he ran to the rear of the apartment, an apparent accidental discharge.
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TOWG
9:57 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
The only thing this story lacks is a cameo by Honey Boo Boo.
Lisa Thomas
9:22 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
What a tragedy. Darrell was one of the nicest bosses I've ever had. I can't even imagine him raising his voice let alone a bat. He will be missed.
ANDRA THOMAS
10:29 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
THERE IS MORE TO THIS STORY ....AND REST A SURE IT WILL BE HEARD....DEREK BROWN IS A BOLD FACE LIAR.....I PRAY THE LORD HAS MERCY ON HIS SOUL....AND HE NEEDS TO BE PUNISHED TO THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW.....
Crystal Huskey
10:30 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
It does seem that there is more to the story. Snellville Patch will update this story as more information is made available. Currently it's still under investigation.
ANDRA THOMAS
10:49 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
AND I AM A WITNESS TO THE BRUISES HE HAS LEFT ON HER BODY AND THE FEAR HE HAS PUT INTO THAT YOUNG LADY'S LIFE...IN FACT IF HE IS WALKING AROUND FREE SNELLVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES AND NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT UP ON CHARGES ALONG WITH DEREK BROWN.....WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO PROTECT AND SERVE.....WHO PROTECTED HER ALL THOSE TIMES HE WAS BEATING ON HER ....WHAT KIND OF JUSTICE IS THIS....
ANDRA THOMAS
8:58 am on Thursday, January 10, 2013
AND BEING THAT THIS IS THE FIRST HOMICIDE OF 2013 .....THE NEWSPAPER SHOULD POST BOTH SIDES OF THE STORY AND IT SHOULD BE CLEAR AND CORRECT ......GWINNETT COUNTY IS AN EMBARRASSMENT ....AND ITS A SHAME THAT A WOMAN ABUSER AND A MURDERER SHOULD BE FREE TO WALK THE STREETS OF ANY CITY COUNTY OR STATE....AND MY FAMILY IS ASHAMED TO SAY WE LIVE HERE.....AND WITH THAT BEING SAID NO WONDER PEOPLE ARE AFRAID TO CALL THE POLICE FOR HELP......BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT FOR US....BUT I BET IF HER FATHER WAS A WHITE MAN JUSTICE WOULD BE SERVED AND DEREK BROWN WOULD NOT BE FREE TO WALK THE STREETS OF GWINNETT COUNTY.....WHAT PERSON IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN....THE LORD WILL HAVE HIS WAY AND DEREK BROWN WILL BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE.....
Crystal Huskey
9:01 am on Thursday, January 10, 2013
Ms. Thomas, thank you for your comments. Unfortunately as reporters we don't usually have access to the other side, even though I wish we did! WIth that being said, if you would like to put me in contact with the family I would be more than happy to publish their thoughts and experiences, or yours. You can email me at Crystal.Huskey@patch.com.
Becky
12:46 pm on Monday, January 14, 2013
Nice play of the race card.
Patrick Thornton
10:31 pm on Saturday, January 12, 2013
I can speak towards the character of Darrell Johnson whom I respected as a fair and a man of integrity. A father myself I can't imagine what Darell felt with dealing with the abuse of his daughter by Derrick Brown. We'll pray for justice for the Johnson family.
Becky
12:46 pm on Monday, January 14, 2013
Truly a case of NEVER take matters into your own hands. Had they done the right thing and called the police to handle it, Mr. Johnson may still be alive today. Of course our first reaction is protect our children at all costs, but going to someone's apartment at 3 a.m. is just asking for trouble. Just sayin'. Prayers for all involved.
ROSE M. FAYNE
9:13 am on Thursday, February 14, 2013
I speak on the behalf of the Johnson family. DARRELL was a loving person and he would not harm anyone. What made him that anger that night we may never know but i can tell you he was a great father and husband that loved life and most of all loved the LORD and he will trudy be missed. Love You nephew.