Isaiah Johnson, 21, was fatally shot on January 17, 2024, in the Springdale community on Dublin Drive, west of Newton in Catawba County. Deputies found him inside a car outside a residence around 8 p.m. suffering from a fatal gunshot wound. Family members said he had been visiting his younger teenage brother and that the teenager accidentally shot Johnson while they were inside the car; neighbors reported hearing a disturbance and later found Johnson lying in the driveway near the vehicle.

Johnson was remembered as a spiritual, fun-loving young man with an infectious laugh. A 2020 graduate of Shelby High School, he worked at Walmart Distribution and Applebee’s and enjoyed skateboarding, Marvel characters, and sports, especially the Dallas Cowboys and Duke Blue Devils. The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office was consulting the District Attorney’s Office about potential charges; specific details were withheld because a juvenile is involved and the investigation remained ongoing.

If anyone knew Isaiah or has information about what happened that night, please share what you know with investigators.