On the morning of January 19, 2021, a shooting in the Hamilton Heights neighborhood of St. Louis left 33-year-old James Johnson dead. Officers responded to a call just before 8:00 a.m. in the 1300 block of Union Boulevard and found Johnson on the porch of a residence with critical gunshot wounds; he was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Investigators secured the scene and identified a suspect inside the same residence: 36-year-old Honor Johnson Jr., the victim’s brother. A firearm believed to be the weapon was recovered and Honor Johnson Jr. was arrested without further incident; the case was referred to the Circuit Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Charges brought included first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault and two counts of armed criminal action. The family accepted a plea agreement that resolved the case; the defendant pleaded guilty to reduced charges and received a 13-year total sentence. If anyone knew James or has information about what happened that morning, please share what you know.