A Florida man suspected of killing his mother led deputies on a chase across county lines before attacking officers and even trying to choke a police dog.
Devin Johnson, 28, was already facing a murder charge but after the chase from Lee County into Collier County on Tuesday, he now faces charges of fleeing and eluding, interfering with law enforcement will violence, battery on law enforcement, taking a law enforcement firearm, striking law enforcement causing harm, and driving with a suspended license, the News-Press reported.
Cape Coral Police began investigating on Tuesday after finding Rosemary Johnson, 69, dead in her home, WBBH reported. Police said Johnson’s daughter found the woman’s body and contacted police.
Just before 3 p.m., Cape Coral police notified the Collier County Sheriff’s Office that they were pursuing the murder suspect and he was entering Collier County, where deputies picked up the pursuit.
Deputies deployed stop sticks, and Devin Johnson briefly stopped his car before continuing his flight. He eventually stopped again and got out, running into a residential neighborhood.
A police report says that deputies hit him with a Taser, but he kept resisting, even grabbing a deputy’s gun. More deputies arrived, including a Cape Coral K9 officer, and Johnson tried to choke the 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.
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[Featured image: Devin Johnson/Cape Coral Police Department]
