Escambia Woman Retrieves Handgun from Purse, Shoots One of Two Robbery Suspects Posing as Cleaning Helpers
On September 8, 2024, deputies from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a robbery and shots-fired incident in the 400 block of Forest Street. The incident occurred while a homeowner was cleaning a rental property with the help of two male acquaintances.
According to the investigation, one of the men, later identified as Ja’tarius Johnson, produced a handgun and attempted to rob the homeowner by taking her purse. During a struggle for the purse, the homeowner managed to retrieve her own handgun and fired a single shot. The suspects then fled the scene.
Shortly after the incident, deputies were alerted that Ja’tarius Johnson had arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound to his foot. He was arrested and charged with robbery with a firearm, grand theft, and grand theft of a firearm.
The second suspect, identified as Aviaun Smith (DOB: 5/4/02), is still at large and has an active warrant for his arrest on charges of robbery with a firearm, grand theft, and grand theft of a firearm. Authorities are urging anyone with information on Smith’s whereabouts to contact Crime Stoppers or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the investigation, one of the men, later identified as Ja’tarius Johnson, produced a handgun and attempted to rob the homeowner by taking her purse. During a struggle for the purse, the homeowner managed to retrieve her own handgun and fired a single shot. The suspects then fled the scene.
Shortly after the incident, deputies were alerted that Ja’tarius Johnson had arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound to his foot. He was arrested and charged with robbery with a firearm, grand theft, and grand theft of a firearm.
The second suspect, identified as Aviaun Smith (DOB: 5/4/02), is still at large and has an active warrant for his arrest on charges of robbery with a firearm, grand theft, and grand theft of a firearm. Authorities are urging anyone with information on Smith’s whereabouts to contact Crime Stoppers or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
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