Sheriff Robert Hardwick reported that Kristopher Johnson allegedly tried to murder a colleague at a construction site shortly before he met his own demise on U.S. 1 soon after.
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — On Wednesday, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office unveiled fresh insights into the fatal shooting involving deputies that unfolded on U.S. 1 the previous afternoon.
During a press briefing, Sheriff Robert Hardwick revealed that the deceased was 43-year-old Kristopher Johnson. Johnson, originally from New York, had a record of violent offenses both in New York and in St. Johns County.
Hardwick explained that Johnson was experiencing a “difficult separation” from his former girlfriend in the weeks leading up to the incident.
At approximately 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Johnson’s former girlfriend, whose identity was withheld, visited a police station in St. Augustine to voice her fears about Johnson’s purported stalking behavior. Authorities advised her to pursue a restraining order against him, according to Hardwick.
Later, at 3:40 p.m., the SJSO received a call from Johnson while he was meeting with his ex-girlfriend at 38 Thomas Industry Way—a location both parties were familiar with. Hardwick noted that Johnson remained silent throughout the call with the dispatcher.
Hardwick explained that in the 911 call, you can hear “a man pleading for his life… and our suspect (Johnson) is basically telling him to get on his knees, that this is basically the end.”
Shortly after, Hardwick said SJSO received six additional 911 calls from witnesses who were describing the situation.
Hardwick said Johnson was chasing a man, whose identity was also not released, around a vehicle while firing multiple shots. He said the man eventually got underneath his vehicle, as Johnson then began firing shots at him. According to Hardwick, detectives recovered 14 shell casings from the scene.
Johnson then ran out of ammo or had a malfunction with his gun, Hardwick said, as the man then took off running.
Johnson then began looking for the man by driving onto the construction site, but did not find him.
Afterward, Hardwick said Johnson went back to the scene where shots were fired, and got into the man’s vehicle, driving down Thomas Industry Way towards International Golf Parkway.
“Unbeknownst to him, our victim had actually jumped into another car on International Golf Parkway, begging for his life [and] telling that person to please stop and call 911,” Hardwick said.
Johnson’s 911 call still was active at this time, which Hardwick said helped dispatchers coordinate sending deputies to the area.
Hardwick said Johnson then turned onto U.S. 1 after turning onto International Golf Parkway. He said a deputy spotted him and attempted a PIT maneuver to stop Johnson, but was unsuccessful.
The deputy then tried a second PIT maneuver on Johnson, Hardwick said, which was successful. Johnson then came to a stop on the shoulder of the highway, just south of White Castle Road.
At this time, a second deputy arrived on scene, Hardwick said.
According to Hardwick, Johnson exited the man’s vehicle, and then started waving his gun while saying, “shoot me, shoot me, shoot me. Kill me.”
Hardwick said the two deputies shot Johnson after he did not comply with their commands for him to drop his gun.
After being shot, Hardwick said Johnson then dropped in the middle of U.S. 1, as deputies then began giving him first aid. Johnson was later taken to a hospital where he died, Hardwick said.
“You can definitely tell he’s going to kill him,” Hardwick said about Johnson in the first shooting at the construction site. “Matter of fact, it almost sounds like an execution. ‘Get on your knees’ is basically what he’s saying. ‘It’s gonna end today. I’ve already called 911, they’re on the phone, they’re already coming.’ He knows he’s gonna take this man’s life.”
Hardwick said Johnson and the man he’s accused of shooting at, knew each other though working together at the same company. He added that Johnson’s ex-girlfriend wasn’t on scene of either shooting, and that Johnson had a pre-arranged meeting at the job site with the man; the reason for the meeting is still under investigation, according to Hardwick.
Below are pictures SJSO released of Johnson’s gun.
