Home / Crime and Justice / Mother, Son Slain: Accused Denied Bail
Mother, Son Slain: Accused Denied Bail
10 Feb
Summary
- Mother and 4-year-old son found shot in their backyard.
- Accused shooter, Joseph Johnson, denied pre-trial release.
- Johnson knew victim for only two weeks before moving in.
Horrific details have emerged regarding the shooting deaths of a Joliet mother and her young son, as the accused shooter was denied pre-trial release. Joselynn Diaz Garcia and her 4-year-old son were discovered unresponsive in their backyard on January 25th, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
The accused, 29-year-old Joseph D. Johnson, was found nearby with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to his ankle. He was subsequently arrested and charged with six counts of first-degree murder. Court documents revealed that Johnson and Diaz Garcia had only known each other for about two weeks prior to the incident. Johnson had moved into Diaz Garcia's home to assist with rent.
Police responded to the residence after neighbors reported hearing gunshots. Upon arrival, they found Diaz Garcia and her younger son on the back porch, both wearing winter coats. Diaz Garcia had sustained several gunshot wounds, and her son was shot multiple times. A 9-year-old son, who has autism, was found unharmed inside the home. Johnson was apprehended with a pistol found near railroad tracks, and shell casings were recovered from both the scene and the home.
