HOLLYWOOD, FLA. (WSVN) - Police cleared the area near a Hollywood home Tuesday afternoon after they spent last night and the morning investigating a double homicide.
An ATF agent used a dog to sniff the lawn on South 56th Avenue and Wiley Street as it searched for evidence.
Hollywood Police said a shooting happened Monday night, just after 8 p.m., when they received a 911 call and arrived to find two men shot. Officers rendered aid, and the two victims were rushed to Memorial Regional Hospital in critical condition.
The two individuals died from their injuries.
“I got back from working out, and I heard three gunshots,” said a neighbor.
The neighbor didn’t want to show his face but said after the shots rang out, he saw his friend screaming.
“When I walked up and saw his father was shot, he was next to his car on the concrete,” he said.
Family identified one of the victims as Erick Johnson, 56, a father of three.
“It’s still early enough that someone had to have seen something,” said Hollywood Police Officer Christian Lata.
Neighbors said an argument down the block led to the shooting. Johnson and a man passing by on a bike were both hit.
“He had nothing to do with it, had nothing to do with that. Whatever went on, it had nothing to do with him,” said neighbor Harry Davis.
“It’s not fair,” said Dominic Johnson, son of Erick.
Davis rushed outside and comforted Johnson’s son, as he was there when the shooting had occurred.
“When they want to involve guns and stuff, instead of handling it like regular people. Now an innocent man who was trying to get some bread [is dead],” said Dominic.
Johnson grew up in the home, moved away to raise his own family, and then returned to stay with his mother.
“He was amazing, and it’s good to see how he was loved and appreciated,” said Rosa Johnson, mother of Erick.
Donnial Hudson and Rod James both called themselves his brothers.
James said, years ago, Johnson had even saved his life.
“I had an injury to myself, and Erick was the one that came up on the scene, and I guess he used a tourniquet and saved my life,” he said. “I was forever — I can’t talk, I’m sorry.”
A neighbor said Johnson was working on a car in the driveway at the time. Several neighbors knew and loved him.
“He was just a cool, stand-up dude,” the neighbor said. “He’d have a barbecue, movies in his garage. Just like how it’s open right now, it would be open playing movies. He would have everyone over there. He is a community dude, a cool dude.”
Only several days ago, Johnson had a long talk with his childhood friend Terrence Riley.
“We were talking about life, our jobs, our family and retirement,” said Riley.
As police investigated the garage and the area in front of it, they asked for help, hoping someone has information that could help capture whoever is responsible.
“We’re asking the community to please help us, to please come forward if you saw something, heard something. Please, as little as it may, it might be the difference between closing this case and bringing justice to these families,” said Lata.
“It’s unfortunate and sad that it happened,” a neighbor said.
Now, Dominic and his family are remembering the best things about his father.
“He was a good man. Nobody had beef with him. It’s just man — good people don’t deserve this,” he said. “We are gonna get the word out and do right by him.”
The sequence of events that had occurred are based on what neighbors have told 7News.
Police are still investigating the case and working to confirm details.
The identity of the other victim has yet to be released.
If you have any information on this shooting, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
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