NEW YORK (PIX11) – A New York City man murdered his younger sister by stabbing her multiple times in front of their mother, according to court documents.
Rodney Johnson, 29, murdered his 20-year-old sister Shayla in July 2023 by stabbing her multiple times, including in her chest, neck, and back.
Johnson was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to one count of murder, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced on Friday.
In July 2023 at 8:00 a.m., the victim, Shayla Johnson, was preparing to start her day by taking a shower. The defendant followed his sister into the bathroom and began stabbing her, according to police.
The victim screamed for her mother and ran to her bedroom. The murderer then chased his sister into their mother’s room, where he wrestled her to the ground and continued attacking her with a knife. The mother, who was also in the bedroom, called 911 and tried to intervene. Ultimately, the defendant stopped, but his sister became unresponsive, court documents said.
The defendant then fled the apartment, according to authorities.
Minutes after the 911 call, officers arrived at the scene and arrested Johnson, who was standing outside the building. His sister lay on the floor, bleeding from multiple stab wounds to her body, including her chest and neck. She was taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead, court documents stated.
The murder weapon, a knife, was found at the scene, according to police.
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“Rodney Johnson viciously and repeatedly stabbed his own sister in a deadly act of violence in their home,” said District Attorney Bragg. “The defendant seized the opportunity to attack his sister at one of her most vulnerable moments and ultimately killed her in front of their mother. No family should ever have to experience this type of horrific and traumatic conduct. I sincerely hope that Shayla Johnson’s family and loved ones can heal and recover from this devastating tragedy.”
According to court documents, both Rodney and Shayla were living with their mother in an NYCHA apartment. The two had been arguing the day before the murder because the defendant had allegedly previously committed acts of violence.
Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.
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