“Senior Assassin” game may have played role in Justin Johnson’s death; attorney
LOWER PAXTON TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WHTM) – The TikTok trend “Senior Assassin” may have played a role in the death of Central Dauphin student Justin Johnson, who died on April 26 after being chased by classmates, according to a family attorney.
On May 1 the family of Justin Johnson and their attorney Nicholas Johnson of Osborne & Francis Law Firm cited the game as a possible factor in the 16-year-old’s death, which the Dauphin County Coroner ruled was due to complications of sickle cell disease and the heart disorder cardiomyopathy. The manner of death was ruled natural after Justin Johnson was found by his father unconscious in their home.
The game “Senior Assassin” has been around for more than a decade but has caught on with teens on social media. The tag-like game often includes a list of classmates who target others involved in the game until one person is left standing.
The family’s attorney Nicholas Johnson says they’re looking into whether one of the other teens involved was carrying a weapon, but said “it’s our belief that (Justin) was in fear.” He later added they’re looking into other possible reasons why Justin was chased, including hazing.
Security footage from Friday night shows Johnson going outside and then appears to show him and several other boys running while racially insensitive language is being used. Nicholas Johnson said someone had visited the family’s home on Monday and the boys later returned on Friday, but Justin initially did not want to go outside.
‘I just wish I could of said goodbye:’ Community mourns the loss of Justin Johnson
Earlier this week, Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo said even though the autopsy shows Justin’s death was due to his medical condition, that doesn’t mean the case is closed.
“It is a factor that militates against criminal liability but it is not dispositive,” said Chardo. “One of the factors we look at, did the other individuals know of the circumstances? Did they cause stress intentionally or recklessly with malice? We look at all those factors, so we haven’t closed it automatically just because the coroner determined that it was natural causes, we’re still looking at it.”
The DA is asking for time to complete a thorough investigation. Nicholas Johnson said his “goal here is to be completely transparent with local law enforcement” and that they turned over Justin’s cellphone and security footage to investigators.
Lower Paxton Township Police says anyone with video or information to contact them directly at 717-558-5900.
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