Gregory M. Johnson

Gregory M. Johnson, a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, was a loving father, son, and brother known affectionately to his family and friends as "Butterball" or "Butta." At 40 years old, he was remembered as a man with a really good heart who would do anything for anyone. His family said his smile could light up an entire room and that he cherished spending time with them above all else. Gregory was a devoted father to his two daughters, Angel and Tia, and was also a caring father figure to Shemyah McFadden and the late Mecedric "Buddy" McFadden. Raised with unconditional love by his grandparents, Beatrice and Morris Hall Sr., Gregory grew into a man who was deeply connected to his large and loving family.

The life of this beloved man was cut short on the night of Sunday, June 26, 2022. In the late hours, around 11:30 p.m., officers from the New Orleans Police Department responded to a call of shots fired in the St. Claude neighborhood. When they arrived in the 2000 block of Louisa Street, they discovered a tragic scene. Gregory was inside a car, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his body. Emergency medical personnel were dispatched to the location, but his injuries were too severe. Gregory M. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene.

The initial investigation into the city's latest homicide was handled by the New Orleans Police Department. Detectives began the process of canvassing the area and gathering whatever evidence and information they could to identify the person or persons responsible for the shooting and to understand the motive behind it. The Orleans Parish Coroner's Office later formally identified Gregory as the victim of the fatal shooting. In the days and weeks that followed, however, public information regarding the circumstances of his death became scarce.

Despite the initial police response, no suspects have been publicly identified or arrested in connection with Gregory's murder. Details about what led to the shooting on that Sunday night have not been released by authorities, and the investigation remains open but without significant public updates. The case is one of many in New Orleans that year, a city grappling with a high rate of violent crime, leaving families like Gregory's waiting for answers and for justice.

In the midst of their profound grief, Gregory's family was left to cherish his memory. He is survived by his companion, Sheerie Graves, his father Gregory Hall, his mother Bernadine Johnson, a stepmother, and numerous siblings: Chauntelle, Chaunte, Chavelle, Chrissy, Nicole, Clint, Kendra, Wilbert Jr., and Brandon Sr. He was also deeply missed by a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. The community gathered to say their final goodbyes at his Homegoing Celebration on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at Law Street Baptist Church. He was laid to rest at Mount Olivet Cemetery in New Orleans.

The murder of Gregory M. Johnson remains unsolved. His family, who remembers him as a man whose presence brought light to their lives, is still without closure. The New Orleans Police Department continues to seek information that could lead to a breakthrough in the case. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the NOPD Homicide Section at (504) 658-5300. To provide information anonymously, individuals can call Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans at (504) 822-1111 or use their toll-free number, 1-877-903-7867.