Authorities in St. Johns County are investigating a chilling sequence of events that unfolded when a suspect allegedly orchestrated a 911 call just before shooting a coworker, Sheriff Hardwick reported. The incident set off a high-stakes pursuit along U.S. Highway 1.
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — In a dramatic turn of events, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office has released audio from a 911 call tied to a fatal shooting on Tuesday afternoon. Investigators state that the suspect, 43-year-old Kristopher Johnson, initiated the call to dispatchers, leaving the line open as he began firing at a coworker.
Law enforcement officials confirm that Johnson was later shot and killed by deputies following a pursuit on U.S. 1, marking the end of a violent confrontation.
The ordeal began at a construction site located off International Golf Parkway. Johnson reportedly met with a coworker there, and shortly thereafter, he dialed 911 without speaking, maintaining an open line.
The 7-minute 911 recording reveals dispatchers’ repeated efforts to communicate with Johnson, with the sound of gunfire audible in the background.
Due to privacy concerns, the victim’s words captured during the call will not be shared.
DISPATCH: 911, what’s the location of your emergency?”
DISPATCH: Hello caller, can you hear me? This is 911.
SUSPECT: “On your knees! On your knees! Get the f*** on your knees, now!”
In another portion of the call, the suspect tells the victim that he called 911.
SUSPECT: I’ve got 911 right here. State your emergency! State your emergency! State your emergency!
DISPATCH: Caller, can you hear me? This is 911 — What’s going on?”
A short time later, the sound of what appears to be several gunshots can be heard.
Investigators say Johnson fired more than a dozen rounds while chasing his coworker around the job site. The victim hid under a car and then ran once the gunfire stopped, eventually jumping into a stranger’s vehicle to escape.
Sheriff Robert Hardwick says the 911 recording makes the suspect’s intentions clear.
“You can definitely tell he’s going to kill him … sounds like execution, get on your knees is basically what he’s gonna end today,” Hardwick said. “He knows that he’s gonna take this man’s life.”
Deputies say Johnson stole the victim’s truck and sped south on U.S. 1, “actively looking for him.” The pursuit ended after Johnson crashed and ran into the roadway still holding his gun.
He could be heard in the 911 call telling deputies to shoot him.
The sheriff says Johnson ignored commands to drop the weapon. Deputies opened fire, and Johnson was airlifted to the hospital, where he later died.
Hardwick also confirmed that Tuesday morning — just hours before the shooting — Johnson’s ex-girlfriend went to St. Augustine Police to report that he had been stalking her for two weeks.
Both she and the coworker, who SJSO says escaped uninjured, are cooperating with investigators.
“Our victim was going to die … if that reload didn’t happen — if that magazine was extended — I think our victim would be a different situation,” said Hardwick.
According to the sheriff, Johnson had a criminal record, including a 2021 arrest in St. Johns County related to a domestic incident involving his daughter. He also had a criminal history in New York.
