A man in Florida, suspected of murdering his mother, led authorities on a cross-county pursuit, during which he attacked officers and attempted to strangle a police dog.
Devin Johnson, 28, who was already charged with murder, now also faces additional charges following the chase from Lee County to Collier County on Tuesday. These charges include fleeing and eluding, obstructing law enforcement with violence, assaulting law enforcement, seizing a firearm from an officer, causing harm to law enforcement, and driving with a suspended license, according to the News-Press.
Police in Cape Coral initiated an investigation on Tuesday after discovering Rosemary Johnson, 69, deceased in her residence, as reported by WBBH. Authorities indicated that Johnson’s daughter discovered her body and alerted the police.
At around 3 p.m., Cape Coral officers informed the Collier County Sheriff’s Office about their pursuit of the murder suspect as he entered Collier County, prompting deputies there to join the chase.
Officers used stop sticks to no avail, as Devin Johnson momentarily halted his vehicle but then continued fleeing. He finally stopped and fled on foot into a nearby residential area.
A police report notes that deputies used a Taser on him, but he resisted, even attempting to grab a deputy’s gun. Additional officers, including a K9 unit from Cape Coral, converged on him, during which Johnson tried to strangle the police dog.
Police eventually got him under control and took him to a hospital for treatment of dog bites.
Rosemary Johnson’s family issued a statement asking for privacy “as we navigate through this unimaginable loss.”
“The person responsible for this vicious act, I am committed to pursuing the highest form of justice for what has been done,” her daughter said. “Our freedom is not a gift; it is a responsibility. I will fight for the justice my mother deserves.”
Police say Johnson stabbed his mother in the head and neck just months after earlier incidents led her to request and receive a protection order against him, according to Law&Crime. In one of those incidents, Johnson allegedly cut power to his mother house, stranding her in a “power recliner,” court records say.
Prior to that incident, he hit her with a closed fist, resulting in him spending a month in jail.
Police did not provide a motive for the murder, but court documents indicated he had mental health issues.
Johnson is being held in Collier County while awaiting a court date.
