Xavier Johnson’s family watches videos of the 20 year old preaching, it’s something he’s loved to do since he was little. They say he’s always been heavily involved in the church. Now they’re the last videos they have of him.
“It’s hard to process. I don’t know how to process it. This is the first time I’ve ever dealt with it, so just taking it day by day,” his mom Okimo Brockelman said.
On Aug. 19 police say Johnson was taken by a woman to a short-term rental house on Maplecrest Drive in Donelson The family says Johnson was trusting and must’ve believed the woman was a friend.
“He loved people enough that you still went, even though you didn’t know what the outcome would be,” his grandmother Falesia Butler said.
And that outcome was devastating. Neighbors say they saw a man was waiting in the bushes. He sh*ot Johnson multiple times ki*lling him. His family has no idea why.
“They sh*ot him, mur*dered him, riddled him up with bullets, or whatever speculation they said. And the part is they left that same person that would give them anything, feed you, take care of you, they left him there like he was a dog,” Butler said.
Now they’re searching for justice while also remembering what they loved most about him.
“He was one of the, again, most mannerable and funny person that you would meet. And although he was short or small in stature, his heart and his soul is that of a giant,” Brockelman said.
She said he leaves a huge hole in their hearts.
“Xavier’s personality is more of a happy, funny, goofy, silly boy, and he’s been that way ever since he really was born. He’s always been happy and outgoing,” Brockelman said.
The family is asking anyone with information to contact police.
“If anybody has any leads on that, please contact us or contact the authorities,” his grandfather Garry Butler said.
Police say they are investigating strong leads. No arrests have been made.
