‘My son is a special son’: Central Dauphin father shares heartbreak as police investigate teen’s death
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LOWER PAXTON TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WHTM) — A father in Lower Paxton Township is sharing his heartbreak and frustration as police are investigating the death of his 16-year-old son Justin Johnson.
“My son is a special son. He’s very special, I mean that’s my life,” Orville Johnson said about his son, who died after an incident Friday night.
Justin Johnson was a sophomore at Central Dauphin High School who moved to the district two years ago from Jamaica.
On Friday night, Orville Johnson says three young men — who Justin told him were members of the football team — showed up at their home on Bianca Drive in the Stray Winds Development.
Security footage shows Justin going outside and then appears to show him being chased. Racially insensitive language can also be heard in the video.
Orville Johnson says he was at work at the time, but was talking to his son on the phone throughout the ordeal. He says, Justin called him when he eventually came back inside and told him he was having trouble breathing.
According to his father, Justin has sickle cell disease and was not supposed to exert himself.
By the time Orville Johnson got home and found his son unconscious on the floor.
“I called 911 immediately and they told me what to do. They called me and said I have to come to the hospital because they’re not getting a heartbeat, and I didn’t see him since,” Orville Johnson said.
Justin’s father says he doesn’t know for sure why any of this happened, but that his son loved school and was trying out for Central Dauphin’s football team.
No charges have been filed at this time, according to Lower Paxton Township Police but an investigation is ongoing.
Police are asking anyone with information or video to contact them directly at 717-558-5900. They can also submit an anonymous tip through their Crimewatch website.
“The Bureau of Police is aware content and videos are being shared through various social media outlets and requests the public’s cooperation as we continue this investigation in order to provide a thorough, factual, and information-based account of events,” police said.
On Monday morning April 29, Central Dauphin School District released the following statement.
“The Central Dauphin School District is saddened to hear about the passing of Justin Johnson, a 10th grade student at Central Dauphin High School.
We understand that the circumstances around Justin’s death have not been determined, however there are social media reports that indicated that Justin was subjected to racial insensitivity from classmates.
Please understand that this type of behavior is not consistent with our core values and our vision of making sure everyone is valued and connected. Hate speech or any behavior that denigrates another person’s rights will not be tolerated and is not consistent with the mission, vision, and values of CDSD.
We are aware of the social media posts and are cooperating with local law enforcement.”
Central Dauphin School District statement
Central Dauphin High School Principal Eric Shrader also sent out an email to parents and community members on Monday morning saying in part:
It is with great sadness that I am writing this email to confirm the death of one of our 10th-grade students, Justin Johnson. Our entire school family extends condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.
With the combines efforts of CDSD school counselors and our own specially trained Crisis Management Team, we have provided small group and individual counseling to support many students. We will continue offering supportive services to our students, staff, and families.
Please realize that your student may want to discuss their feelings about death, their memories of this student, and the issues surrounding the death of Justin.
Central Dauphin High School Principal Eric Shrader
Shrader’s email included a list of supportive services available to students and parents. He also added that students will be excused from school to attend the funeral with written permission from a parent or guardian.
April 30 would have been Justin Johnson’s 17th birthday. Instead, an autopsy is scheduled. Investigators say they hope that will shed more light on how he died.
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission released a statement on Monday afternoon.
“The PHRC is heartbroken over the death of Justin Johnson, and we extend our support and condolences to his friends and family,” said PHRC Executive Director Chad Dion Lassiter, MSW. “We are aware and very concerned of the alleged racist actions and will continue to monitor the incident. Hate has no place in Pennsylvania, and the PHRC stands committed to making sure everyone has the right to education, employment, housing and commercial property, and public accommodation free from discrimination. If you feel you have experienced discrimination, we urge you to contact the PHRC and file a complaint. It is only through speaking up that we can end hatred and discrimination.”
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