Deandre Dontavias Johnson, a 25-year-old Black man, was a proud father who loved his family deeply. Born in Decatur, Illinois, on April 6, 1994, to parents Ebony Johnson and Toby Lee Britton, Sr., Deandre later moved to Muncie, Indiana. His loved ones remember him for his interests in playing basketball and video games. He had a lively personality, enjoying selfies, making live videos, and using Snapchat. At the time of his death, Deandre was the father of two sons, Khi'ree and Brynen, and was excitedly awaiting the birth of a third, Dredyn. Though he had a criminal record, his family saw him as a good person who was actively trying to improve his life. His brother, Scyllir Johnson, said Deandre was working and making an effort to change his path for his growing family.
The quiet of a southeast Muncie neighborhood was shattered around 2:15 a.m. on Friday, June 7, 2019, when a resident heard two gunshots.
There were no other sounds, like shouting or screeching tires, to suggest what had happened. It wasn't until approximately 6 a.m. that a passing motorist made a grim discovery. Deandre Johnson was found lying dead in the street at the intersection of Kirby Avenue and Brady Street. The Muncie Police Department was called to the scene and immediately began a homicide investigation.
The Delaware County Coroner confirmed that Deandre had been fatally shot in the head. Investigators were faced with several questions, including what had brought Deandre, who lived on the other side of the city, to that particular neighborhood, which did not receive much traffic. At the time, Muncie Police Chief Joe Winkle noted that detectives were familiar with Deandre, who had past convictions for robbery, domestic battery, and cocaine possession, and had a pending charge for illegal firearm possession.
In the hours and days following the discovery, Deandre's grieving family and friends gathered at the scene. Overcome with emotion, they created a makeshift memorial on the pavement where he was found, writing messages of love and hope. The initial investigation brought a sense of optimism from law enforcement. Chief Winkle expressed confidence that the case would be solved quickly, suggesting a belief that Deandre likely knew his killer. "I will be surprised if we don't have this solved in the next couple of days," the chief stated at the time.
Despite that early confidence, the investigation into Deandre Johnson's murder stalled. No suspects were ever publicly identified, and no arrests have been made in connection with his death. The promising leads and the hope for a swift resolution faded over time, and the case grew cold. For Deandre's family, the pain of his loss is compounded by the lack of answers and justice.
As of February 2021, the homicide of Deandre Johnson remains one of Muncie's unsolved cases. The questions of why he was in that location and who was responsible for his death are still unanswered. The Muncie Police Department's investigations division continues to hold the case file. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact them at 765-747-4867, as a family waits for the closure that only justice can bring.
