Police say former Texas A&M WR admits to Monday slaying of park jogger
Former Texas A&M wide receiver Thomas Johnson stabbed and killed a person at random Monday morning in a park according to Dallas police.
Johnson, a former four-star recruit in the class of 2012, hasn’t been with the team since he left during his freshman year. He allegedly hacked a jogger in a Dallas park with a “large-edged” weapon in a fit of rage.
“It appears Mr. Johnson picked this victim at random. Absolutely random,” Deputy Chief Rob Sherwin said. “He just attacked him. … It’s just very unusual. It’s quite shocking.”
Police also said that Johnson admitted to the murder after he was apprehended. His alleged victim was described as a white male between 25 and 35 years old. The man, who died at a hospital, was one of four people murdered by White Rock Lake on Monday in Dallas, though the attacks don’t appear to be connected. Johnson allegedly killed the man as he was running on the White Rock Trail.
Johnson had 30 catches for 339 yards in 2012. He went missing in November of that year and never returned to the team. He was reported missing on November 14 after last being seen on November 12 and found overnight on November 15 of that year.
According to the Morning News, police have said Johnson was angry about his “situation in life.”
He remains in jail as he awaits charges for the murder. Johnson was arrested in 2014 after he allegedly stole his aunt’s minivan and money from her.
The aunt told police then that Johnson “had been causing problems in the family for a long period of time,” according to an affidavit.
He declined a jailhouse interview with The Dallas Morning News then and was supposed to go into rehab.
Johnson received probation for the crimes, but court records show prosecutors filed papers last month to have his probation revoked because he tested positive for marijuana and failed to meet other conditions, including paying fees.
Johnson was the No. 4 wide receiver in the country in 2012 according to Rivals and the No. 5 prospect in the state of Texas. out of Skyline High School in Dallas.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
