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26 year-old man fatally stabs sister in Manhattan
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Jul 20, 2023
Modified Jul 20, 2023
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Courtesy of Shekemea Johnson
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Jul 20, 2023
Modified Jul 20, 2023
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A 26-year-old man who had violated two past restraining orders is accused of fatally stabbing his sister in their Manhattan apartment Wednesday, according to police.
Officers called to the apartment at NYCHA’s Lincoln Houses in East Harlem around 8 a.m. Wednesday found 20-year-old Shayla Johnson with stab wounds to her neck and chest.
She was taken to NYC Health and Hospitals/Harlem, where she was pronounced dead.
Her brother, Rodney Johnson, was arrested immediately at the apartment they shared. Police said he had also been arrested in September of 2019 and March of 2017, both times for violating orders of protection.
“I’m lost for words,” said their older sister Shekemea Johnson, who lives in a different neighborhood and learned about her sister's death from their mother and aunt. “He had to premeditate this.”
Shayla Johnson was the youngest of four siblings. Though the children were close growing up, Shekemea said that Rodney had struggled with anger issues for years, which caused him to be physically violent toward Shayla and past girlfriends.
He did not stick with therapy programs, Shekemea said, and he was quickly released from jail both times he was arrested for violating the orders of protection Shayla had against him.
“He always got out,” she said. "I don’t know what type of program Harlem has that bails people out the next day. That’s just crazy.”
Two days ago, Shekemea said she'd heard from Shayla that Rodney was threatening her. Shayla said she had planned to call the cops.
But Rodney’s anger reached a boiling point Wednesday when Shayla heated up pizza in the oven, warming the apartment.
“He waited for her to get in the shower. That bathroom door was locked, he kicked the door down,” the distraught sister recounted. “And he stabbed her 17 times.”
Shekemea wept when describing Shayla, who she said was a generous young woman who had graduated high school three weeks earlier. She loved going out with her friends and traveling.
“She just turned 20 in January," Shekemea said. "She didn't even figure it out yet.”
As a kid, Rodney had been sweet and responsible, Shekemea recalled. But she said his anger issues had escalated as he got older, making it impossible for him to hold down jobs. Shekemea said their mother, who was home when Shayla was killed, was afraid of him.
“I think he was just jealous,” she said. “He’s jealous that my sister had people that loved and cared about her, and we would be there for her for anything, give her anything she needed.”
Shekemea said Rodney called the police on himself to report the incident.
According to the criminal court complaint, Rodney was standing in front of the building when police arrived, and told them that he’d stabbed his sister and hoped she was dead.
Rodney Johnson was remanded after his arraignment in Manhattan criminal court Thursday. His lawyer could not be immediately reached for comment.
A spokesperson from the Manhattan District Attorney’s office said there was no active criminal court order of protection in place when this incident occurred, but could not discuss Johnson’s past orders because at least one of the cases was sealed.
The NYPD said the incident is still under investigation.
This story has been updated with additional details.
Tagged
domestic violence
public safety
manhattan
Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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