Erik E. EJ Girton, Jr., was 24 when he was fatally shot near Pleasure Ridge Park in Louisville. Police found him just before midnight on Thursday, January 6, 2022, at a residence in the 3200 block of Springfield Drive with multiple gunshot wounds. As the woman loaded her belongings into Johnson’s vehicle, Girton approached and opened the car door; Johnson allegedly drew a handgun and fired several times.

After the shooting, Johnson reportedly drove away with the woman in the car; she exited about a block away and ran back to Girton. A warrant was issued for Johnson’s arrest, and Louisville Metro Police officers took him into custody on Monday, January 31, 2022; he was charged with murder and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and booked into Louisville Metro Corrections.

Girton was born December 11, 1997, in Louisville and attended PRP High School, where he played football. He worked at Taco Bell and was remembered as a skilled handyman who repaired computers and automobiles, a fan of the U of L Cardinals with a love of music. Did anyone in the community have contact with Erik around January 6 who can add details about what happened that day?