DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. — The family of 16-year-old Justin Johnson, who passed away Friday, held a media event about the circumstances surrounding his death.
According to an autopsy report by the Dauphin County Coroner’s office, Justin had cardiomyopathy and died due to complications of sickle cell disease. Although the family was aware of Justin’s sickle cell disease diagnosis, an attorney representing the Johnson family said a popular game “Senior Assassin” may have led up to Justin’s death.
Rumors and videos are 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. The family believes that the teens were taking part in the popular game called Senior Assassin.
“Justin was so frightened when he ran and that person jumped out of the vehicle with what he may have thought to be a weapon, that he wasn’t getting enough oxygen and died,” said Nicholas Johnson, a lawyer with Osborne & Francis Law Firm.
In the game Senior Assassin, teams are assigned targets to "eliminate" each week. The game typically happens outside of school hours during both daylight and nighttime hours. Videos of the "hits" are then posted on social media.
Nicholas added that Justin wanted to be a part of the Central Dauphin High School football team so he could fit in and make friends. Justin moved from Jamaica to the United States a year ago and was still getting acclimated.
Nicholas said they have questions on whether this was an incident of hazing.
“Why were these boys specifically targeting Justin?” Nicholas asked. “We don’t know if the school had any knowledge of the game the kids were playing or a part of a hazing ritual.”
Nicholas said that they have been open and transparent with the Lower Paxton Township Police Department and the Dauphin County District Attorney's Office. While the investigation is ongoing, Nicholas said he does not want this case to be an “open and shut” case.
“There are too many questions out there that need to be answered, not only for Mr. Johnson and his family, but for the community as well,” said Nicholas.
“I’m just gutted at this point because I lost the most important person in my life,” said Orville Johnson, Justin's father. “I want the community to know that people who may look normal are not normal…they may be going through some stuff.”
Monday afternoon, Lower Paxton Township Police issued an update on their investigation of the incident. 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.
The Lower Paxton Township Police Department has not supported the claims the teens were participating in the game Senior Assassin, however, their investigations into the actions and statements made in the surveillance video are ongoing.
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