HARRISBURG, Pa. — The family of the 16-year-old Central Dauphin High School student who died of apparent cardiac arrest last week has hired a law firm to conduct its own investigation of his death, a spokesperson with the firm said Monday.
Justin Johnson was pronounced dead at Hershey Medical Center last Friday night, after his father found him unresponsive on the floor of his home.
Johnson's father, Orville, and attorney Nick Johnson of Osborne & Francis Law Firm will speak at a press conference Wednesday, the law firm said.
Johnson, a 10th-grade student at Central Dauphin High School, was pronounced dead at Hershey Medical Center after being transported there from his home on the 3000 block of Bianca Way in Lower Paxton Township, according to Lower Paxton Township Police.
Officers were dispatched to Johnson's home, on the 3000 block of Bianca Way, at about 9:55 p.m. for the report of a 16-year-old male in cardiac arrest, police said.
A spokesperson with the Dauphin County Coroner's Office said the investigation is ongoing, and an autopsy has been scheduled for Tuesday morning.
The Central Dauphin School District on Monday released Johnson's identity in a note to parents and guardians. The school district said in a statement that they are cooperating with local law enforcement in the investigation.
There are rumors and video circulating on social media that claim Johnson died after an apparent hazing incident. Some of the videos appear to show a group of teens running after Johnson, one of whom may have used a racially insensitive phrase.
"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," the school district's statement said. "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."
Bellinda Ward, a neighbor who lives a few houses down from the Johnson family, said the behavior from the group was shocking.
"They hunted him down like an animal, they chased him down, they coerced him out of his house," said Ward.
Ward said the video, which included racial slurs to Justin, was upsetting. Ward's father was a part of the Civil Rights Movement and according to her, she thought that times had changed. However, she said the video is appalling and can't believe that it happened in a time like today.
"Someone needs to be held accountable for this terrible...terrible situation," said Ward.
While police acknowledged the presence of the videos, they asked for patience from the public and promised to provide updates as the investigation continues.
"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," Lower Paxton Township Police said in a post on its Crimewatch page.
Later Monday afternoon, Lower Paxton Township Police issued an update on their investigation of the incident.
"The Lower Paxton Township Bureau of Police offers our deepest sympathies to the Johnson family for this loss of life," the police department said. "We are working to thoroughly investigate this event and attempt to bring answers and closure to the family."
The department said its initial investigation found:
- Video footage viewed to date does not show Justin Johnson being harmed.
- Justin re-entered his home by himself.
- Before leaving his home, Justin told his father in a phone call that he was going to play tag with friends.
Investigators also issued a timeline of events the investigation has determined so far.
According to police:
8:21 p.m.: The initial reports from Justin’s father were that about 8:21 p.m. a juvenile male rang the doorbell. Mr. Johnson reported he called his son and told him a juvenile was at the door. Justin told his father he was going to play tag with his friends in the neighborhood. A few moments later video footage shows Justin leaving the house with the male. Mr. Johnson advised that he had spoken to Justin on the phone and Justin stated he had been out running around with friends. Mr. Johnson stated he seemed fine when he spoke to him on the phone. There is video footage of Justin exiting the house at about 8:26 p.m. then going back inside and emerging again a moment later.
8: 28 p.m.: Justin is seen running past the house and runs through the yard and down over an embankment.
8:29 p.m.: A juvenile male brings his phone to the front porch and places it on a chair so he could be recorded returning the phone on camera.
8:36 p.m.: Justin is seen on camera returning to the porch and using his phone. He does not appear to be in distress or actively being chased or harmed in any way. Justin is seen entering the garage and re-enters the home by himself.
9:27 p.m.: Mr. Johnson attempted to call Justin and could not reach him on the phone.
9:54 p.m.: Mr. Johnson arrives home and finds Justin unresponsive on the floor. He immediately calls 911 and begins CPR. Lower Paxton Bureau of Police and took over CPR until South Central EMS arrived and took over care of Justin. He was transported to Hershey Medical Center and was later pronounced deceased at about 11:53 p.m.
During the initial investigation, there were no signs of forced entry into the home and no indication that anyone else had entered the home with Justin, according to police.
Regarding videos of the incident circulating on social media, the police department said Johnson's father initially could not provide a copy of the video. Police later returned to his home and were able to obtain "limited videos of the event," but said it is currently not in possession of all the videos on social media.
Police were able to review audio and video on social media and are "investigating all actions and statements made."
"The Lower Paxton Township Bureau of Police continues to investigate these additional details that the video shows. This is an ongoing investigation, and the Lower Paxton Township Bureau of Police is utilizing all resources to fully investigate this matter. "
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission released a statement Monday afternoon regarding the death of 16-year-old Justin Johnson, who may have been a victim of racial insensitivity, according to the Central Dauphin School District.
“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.”
“We are aware that police are still investigating,” said PHRC Civil Rights Outreach Coordinator Supervisor Sheryl Meck, M.S. “We encourage anyone who has experienced acts of discrimination or hate, to contact the PHRC regional office closest to you. If the issue cannot be investigated through a formal complaint with the PHRC, it will be reported to the Civil Rights Outreach Division for consideration.”
Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact them at (717) 558-6900 or submit a tip online.