A California man who was shot and paralyzed during a robbery 36 years ago, died Monday from medical complications resulting from the incident.
According to ABC News 10 , Walter Johnson, 62, passed away Monday at a Sacramento hospital. Since Johnson died from complications stemming from the 1977 shooting, his death is now being treated as a homicide by detectives.
Police say Johnson was driving to his parents’ home April 9, 1977, when three unknown men blocked the roadway with their car on San Carlos Way. The three men then confronted Johnson, who was still in his car, and after a brief struggle he was shot in the upper body and then robbed.
“It was the worst night of my life,” Walter’s brother Donald Johnson Sr. told News 10. “He was looking for me. He thought it was me.”
Following the robbery, the three suspects fled in their red or brown Ford Pinto and were never caught.
Though Johnson survived the attack, he was paralyzed in the shooting. Despite his condition, he still forgave his attacks, according to his brother.
“Walter believed in God,” said Donald. “There was no vengeance or nothing, he just went on with it.”
Police said the case has been handed over to homicide detectives as well as the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office. Detectives will head back to the original crime scene and look for witnesses.
Anyone with information regarding the 1977 shooting is asked to call Sacramento Crime Alert at (916) 443-4357.
News 10 has more information on Walter Johnson’s bizarre robbery-turned homicide investigation in the video below:
