James Cleveland Toe Johnson, 54, of Ridge Spring, South Carolina, was found murdered on the morning of December 6, 2020, his life cut short amid a linked house fire. Fire crews called to 2966 Columbia Highway North around 4:40 a.m. reported a fully involved structure and no occupant; deputies later tied that suspicious blaze to a body discovered about 10:15 a.m. in a field near 1297 Cummings Road. The victim lay face down with a gunshot wound to the back of his head and visible blood. The man was identified as James C. Johnson, a longtime member of Bethlehem Baptist Church remembered by family and friends as a caregiver who often cooked and helped others.

Investigators found Johnson’s white 2016 Kia Forte missing; deputies stopped that vehicle the next day and arrested two Ridge Spring men inside. Dominique Johnson, 29, was booked on an outstanding grand larceny warrant and later in reporting was booked on murder, a weapons charge, grand larceny, and a probation violation. Robert Day III, 24, was charged as an accessory after the fact.

Anyone who knew James Toe Johnson or has information about the events surrounding the December 6 fire and killing is asked to come forward.