Aiken Shooting Suspect Held in Richmond County Jail Pending Extradition
Aiken – Joshua Colton Johnson, a 32-year-old man involved in a shooting incident with Aiken County deputies, is currently being held in the Richmond County Jail. Authorities have confirmed that he is awaiting extradition to South Carolina.
Details of the Incident
The incident that brought Johnson into the spotlight occurred on July 25, when he was seen behaving erratically outside J.D. Lever Elementary School in Aiken. Reports indicate that Johnson began removing his clothing in front of the school, leading to a response from local deputies. This situation quickly escalated, resulting in a confrontation with law enforcement.
According to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), deputies arrived at the scene around 2 p.m. following complaints of his behavior on Columbia Highway North. When deputies confronted Johnson, a physical struggle ensued. Taser weapons were deployed, but they were ineffective in subduing him. During the altercation, one deputy was knocked to the ground and injured, which prompted another deputy to shoot Johnson, leaving him critically injured.
The chaotic scene also resulted in a lockdown at the elementary school, just minutes before students were scheduled to be released. The police response was significant, and after the incident, Johnson was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Current Status
Johnson was apprehended again on August 28, around a month after the shooting. He was arrested on a SLED warrant related to his actions during the July incident. At this time, he is being held at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center in Richmond County. His registered address is on Summerhill Road, situated in North Augusta.
Details regarding Johnson’s condition post-hospitalization remain unclear, as neither the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office nor SLED have disclosed whether he was ever released from the hospital following the shooting. Nonetheless, officials confirm that Johnson is awaiting extradition back to South Carolina where he could face serious charges
Past Incidents and Arrest Record
This recent arrest marks at least the sixth time Johnson has been taken into custody since 2014. His history includes several notable incidents. In February 2021, he was stopped in Aiken for driving with a defective tag light. During this routine traffic stop, officers discovered he had outstanding warrants for assault and battery. When they attempted to arrest him, he resisted, leading to a search, during which authorities found a firearm with an altered serial number and a small amount of methamphetamine.
Moreover, in 2020, Johnson gained attention after a recorded video showed him attacking a traffic director and making threats of violence. More recently, in February 2023, he faced accusations of assaulting a friend and stealing items such as a car, wallet, and phone. Although he was arrested during that incident, the robbery charge was later dismissed in June due to a lack of an indictment from prosecutors.
It’s clear that Johnson’s pattern of interactions with law enforcement and local authorities has raised concerns, marking a troubling trajectory in his behavior and legal encounters.
Conclusion
The case continues to be a focus of attention as authorities await the extradition process. With Johnson’s troubling history and the events surrounding the shooting incident, there remains significant interest in how this case will unfold in the coming weeks.
