Grieving Miami Family: Disabled Single Father Died Protecting Teenage Son
MIAMI (CBS4) - The mother and sisters of a disabled, single father who was gunned down this past weekend say that he died while protecting his teenage son.
"They were trying to shoot his son," said Angela Buckley, whose 44-year-old brother Ulysses Johnson was shot and killed early Saturday afternoon by gunmen who were demanding cash.
"He died protecting his son," Buckley told CBS4's Peter D'Oench. "He was trying to push him back out of there. As far as I'm concerned, he died while being a hero."
"I don't understand why they went into his house and did that and pulled a gun on him," said Johnson's mother, Overlee Johnson, as tears flowed down her face.
Talking about her son as she sat on her porch a few blocks from where her son lived, an emotional Johnson told D'Oench, "He didn't hurt anybody. He was kind to everybody. He was a very hard worker. Everything you asked for, he would give it to you. I don't know why this happened. But I really miss my son. I really miss my son."
Johnson's home on the corner of Northeast 76th St. and Miami Court was riddled with bullets. Johnson died after being gunned down near the doorway.
His 17-year-old son was not injured.
"Whoever did this I wish they could come up and tell the truth about it," said Overlee Johnson. "Because my son was good. He was real good to everybody, his cousins and his brother and his son. Oh Lord, why did they do this. Why did they do this to my son. Please I'll be glad when they catch him, whoever did it. Let him come forward and admit what they did."
"Please, please," she said. "Lord, please let them come forward. I can't believe it. This has really got me sick."
Though disabled by diabetes, Johnson's loved ones say they are not surprised that he did everything that he could to protect his son.
"My uncle had such a good heart," said Shuneequa Moore, the victim's niece. "We just want justice."
Neighbors called Johnson "Bo." Buckley said his co-workers in Broward called him "Shorty."
"My brother was so nice to everyone," said Buckley. "He would do anything for anyone. There was no reason for anybody to go in there and kill him like that. They didn't get anything. He didn't have any money."
Evet Chislom, who was one of Johnson's three sisters, said, "We just want whoever did this to my brother, please turn yourself in. You don't know what you have done to this family that is so close knitted. You have destroyed this family."
Johnson's 17-year-old son is staying with relatives.
Family members have set up a makeshift memorial at his home, with flowers and malt liquor in his memory.
"One other thing about my brother," said Angela Buckley. "He loved his Miami Dolphins. No matter how they did, win or lose, he was a fan. He cared so much about them."
Johnson's loved ones have heard that a possible suspect with a self-inflicted gunshot wound is in custody.
Police say they are not sure if that person is connected to that crime and they do not have a good description of the suspects to release and are also not prepared to identify any suspects at this point.
If you can help Miami Police with this case, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477).
