On the night of May 19, 2024, 20-year-old Marcus James Johnson of Benton Harbor was killed by gunfire at a BP gas station on North Fair Avenue. Officers responding after reports of a large crowd and the sound of gunfire found Johnson fatally shot; an autopsy confirmed death from gunshot wounds. Two other people were injured and took themselves to a local hospital; they were later released. Investigators recovered a single shell casing near Johnson’s head, which led them to treat the shooting as a close-range attack.

The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety worked with the Michigan State Police Major Case Team, K-9 units, and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department. Authorities identified a suspect and arrested 23-year-old Jaquez Ray at his mother’s home in Lansing after searching two locations tied to him. Police say they recovered a gun matching the casing and black clothing that tested positive for blood. Court filings describe Ray and Johnson as best friends and note Ray had been shot in 2022 while defending Johnson during a fight. Ray has been charged with murder and is being held in the Berrien County Jail. Investigators are still seeking whoever shot the two injured victims.

Does anyone have information about that night at the BP on North Fair Avenue or knew Marcus Johnson?