Jerome Johnson, a 66-year-old Atlanta man, was an outgoing and giving person known to loved ones as "Uncle J." He was the only child of his mother, and his daughter, Takela Glover, called him her backbone. He shared a special bond with his great-uncle, Clinton Johnson, who he spoke with on the phone every day. The two had playful code names for each other, Kojak-1 and Kojak-2, and often talked about football.
On the morning of Saturday, November 9, 2024, this cherished family connection was tragically broken. Around 9:30 a.m., police were called to a rooming house in the 400 block of Bolton Road NW, where Jerome Johnson lived. Inside, they found Johnson and his friend, 61-year-old Leonard Bridges, with fatal gunshot wounds. According to police, the two men were shot during an argument with a person who had been invited into the home. Johnson’s daughter later shared that her father was in the dining room and was shot multiple times, while Bridges was at the door.
Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.
In a surprising turn, the man police identified as the suspected shooter, 52-year-old Leatories Carter, returned to the crime scene later that day. An Atlanta Police major stated that Carter “showed up on scene and was taken to police headquarters where he is currently being interviewed.” Following the interview, Carter was arrested.
The next morning, police announced that Carter had been charged with murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. As of November 2024, the case against him is proceeding through the court system.
The loss has left Jerome Johnson’s family reeling. “Can’t really say that he’s gone. I really don’t believe it,” his daughter Takela said shortly after his death. “I’m waiting on a phone call because I can’t believe it.” His great-uncle Clinton mourned the end of their daily calls, saying, “I miss him. Miss him sadly.” At a celebration of life she organized for her father, Glover made a plea for peace. “It is time to do better,” she said. “The gun is not the answer.”
