Editor's Note: This story was updated and corrected on Oct. 13.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.— It's a pain that's still fresh for one Virginia Beach woman. Sheri Johnson tells News 3 losing her nephew, Jawan Johnson in a deadly shooting earlier this year was the worst day of her life. Now, she's looking for hope and justice.
Saturday would've been Jawan's 20th birthday. He was gunned down at the Sunoco gas station on Lynnhaven Parkway in Virginia Beach on May 31.
"I miss my nephew. I wish he was here" said Sheri Johnson said.
The memory of his lifeless body still haunts her.
"Nobody! No family should see their loved one laying on the ground uncovered," she said.
More than four months later his family is still looking for answers. Those answers, Johnson said, she hasn't received from police. She wants to know what led up to the shooting. Who pulled the trigger? And why charges haven't been filed since police told News 3 they've identified the shooter.
"For us we want to see closure," she said. "We want to see what led up to the minutes before he was murdered. We want to see the tape."
With just fond memories of the former Salem High School football star, Johnson is turning her pain into power. She started an organization in his honor.
" It's called 'Not On My Watch Jawan Johnson'. It's a foundation for families who've been affected by gun violence and I'm going to be a voice for the voiceless," she said. "I'm going to speak for your family because I'm speaking for mine," said Johnson.
The group's mission is to raise awareness about gun violence in Hampton Roads and the impact it has on families.
"I'm trying to sit down and plan how I can create a football organization in his name because that's something he loves to do," said Johnson.
Along with giving back to high school students.
"Also in the city of Virginia Beach, we started a scholarship in his name where you can go to any of your guidance counselors at the school and pull up Jawan Johnson. We're giving out three $1,000 scholarships this upcoming school year," said Johnson. "I just want to keep his name going."
But when it's all said and done, Johnson has a message for the person who took her nephew's life.
" I want him to be charged. I want him to be charged with first-degree murder" said Johnson.
CORRECTION: A previous web story stated News 3 reached out to Virginia Beach Police numerous times for any charges or new details in the case and we had yet to hear back from police. However, that statement should be corrected to say Virginia Beach Police responded to News 3’s numerous inquiries, but the department was unable to share new information about the case until this update, released on October 13, 2022.
