On July 27, 2016, at about 1:00 a.m., a drive-by shooting outside EB’s Corner, a bar at 700 West 5th Street in Winona, Minnesota, left 53-year-old Robert Charles Bob Johnson with a fatal gunshot wound to the torso. He was taken to a local hospital and later pronounced dead. A second patron, 27-year-old Sean O’Brien, was shot in the leg and survived in stable condition.

Robert Johnson was a longtime local musician, born August 7, 1962, in Lanesboro and raised in Winona from age four. A 1980 Winona Senior High School graduate with a bachelor’s degree in geology from Winona State University, he had worked as a geochemist explorer and was known locally for his skill on string instruments and for donating instruments to young musicians. Witnesses said a vehicle returned after a parking dispute and the driver fired multiple shots, shouting references to Angel or Hells Angels. Authorities arrested 49-year-old Winona resident Rickey Darnell Waiters, recovered a 40 caliber Smith & Wesson from his apartment and six spent casings in his vehicle; he was charged in the case.

The community mourned Johnson’s death and his family asked that memorials be directed to the Winona Public Schools music department. If anyone knew Bob or has information about the shooting, please come forward.