A 29-year-old man in Florida faces serious allegations after allegedly murdering a stranger, reportedly stabbing the victim multiple times in the head and neck with a barbecue fork, while also failing to harm his own mother and cousin.
On Monday, Roosevelt Loray Johnson was arrested and faces a charge of first-degree murder following what appears to be an unprovoked attack, according to court documents. On Monday evening around 6 p.m., officers from the Riviera Beach Police Department were dispatched to the Berkley Landing Apartments in the 3100 block of Riviera Beach following a report of an armed individual.
After the first 911 call, dispatch operators reported that several more calls were received about bystanders assisting a man who had been stabbed near the apartment complex.
Upon arrival, first responders found the victim, identified as a Hispanic male standing 5 feet 5 inches tall and estimated to be between 40 and 50 years old, who was “bleeding and lying in the street beside his bicycle.”
Onlookers quickly recognized Johnson as the attacker, directing attention to him while he relaxed on a bench at a nearby bus stop, casually smoking a cigarette. Authorities moved in and apprehended Johnson, observing that his hands were stained with blood. Authorities discovered a two-pronged barbecue fork “with blood on both prongs” placed on the bench adjacent to where Johnson had been seated.
Numerous witnesses recounted a consistent account to authorities, detailing how Johnson confronted the victim, who was cycling, and inflicted multiple stab wounds before nonchalantly strolling to the bus stop and lighting a cigarette.
“Witness 3 observed [Johnson] stab the other male with an unknown object multiple times in the head and neck area,” the affidavit states. “Witness-3 even heard [Johnson] repeatedly shout: ‘DIE! DIE! DIE’ as he was continuously stabbing the unknown male. Witness-3 then advised that [Johnson] abruptly stopped attacking the victim, stood up calmly, and turned around to walk away. Witness-3 then left the area but saw police and made contact with officers on scene.”
Deborah McLeod, Johnson’s mother, informed authorities that prior to his assault on the stranger, Johnson attempted to stab her using a fork.
“McLeod further explained that Johnson swung overhand to stab her, but her sweater got caught/tangled with the BBQ Fork and Johnson pulled back as if he missed,” the affidavit states. “McLeod then stated that Johnson’s attention was re-diverted to his cousin, Rhiannon Phillips. Johnson then began to chase Phillips with the BBQ Fork but Phillips was able to barricade herself in the bathroom.”
Following the failed attempts, McLeod reported that her son “stormed out of the apartment” while “holding the BBQ fork.”
During an interview conducted after being read his rights, Johnson reportedly admitted to stabbing the victim, claiming he used “a fork” in the attack, according to the affidavit.
“Detectives asked if Johnson knew the victim, and Johnson replied that he did not know him,” the affidavit states. “As questions continued, Johnson paused detectives and asked, ‘Is the little Guatemalan dead?’ Johnson also stated, ‘I just hit him. I just started hitting him. He was just riding on his bike, drinking his beer.’”
Records indicate that Johnson is presently detained in the Palm Beach County Jail without the option for bond. Alongside the murder charge, Johnson is confronting a count of aggravated assault involving a deadly weapon.