Family: Shooting on Forsyth Avenue Gang-Related

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Abandoned buildings covered in graffiti serve as a daily reminder of the gangs that run the streets in East Macon. Members of the Crips, Bloods and Macon Mafia have all marked territory along Forsyth Avenue and on Sunday, residents say the brewing turf wars between the gangs came to a violent end.

Shortly after midnight, John Johnson III was shot and killed while sitting in his white Honda Accord on Forsyth Avenue near Payton Street. He was pronounced dead hours later.

“They said he was gasping for air but he just couldn’t make it,” said John Johnson Jr., Johnson’s father.

Less than three weeks ago the 18-year-old was shot in the arm and pistol-whipped near Grosso Avenue in Macon. He was still recovering from the blows.

“They told him the last time,” said John Johnson Jr., “if they had one more bullet in their pistol, they would blow his brains out.”

Johnson said it all boils down to a turf war between the East Macon street gangs and the West Macon street gangs. He admits his son was gang-affiliated.

“He respected my house, I will say that,” Johnson said, “but I knew.”

Now Johnson wants to know who is responsible for his son’s death but his family fears retaliation.

“I have to protect my house, that’s what I have to do now.”

Macon Police Department spokesperson Jami Gaudet said the shooting is still under investigation.