An armed man shot and killed by St. Johns County deputies Tuesday wrote on social media the day before his death that he believed his boss was romantically involved with his girlfriend.
St. Johns County Sheriff Robert Hardwick said at a press conference Wednesday that Kristopher Johnson, 43, had been dealing with a “breakup situation” in recent weeks.
The day began around 10 a.m. when Johnson’s girlfriend contacted St. Augustine police, concerned about his spiraling mental state.
On Monday, Johnson wrote on his Facebook page that he believed the woman — his coworker — was involved with his boss.
At 3:40 p.m. Tuesday, Johnson — who Hardwick said had a criminal record — called 911 from his workplace on Thomas Industrial Way but did not speak, Hardwick said.
During the seven-minute call, a male coworker’s voice could be heard pleading for his life while Johnson ordered him to get on his knees.
The male victim may have been the boss Johnson believed was involved with his girlfriend, though authorities have not confirmed this.
A female employee could also be heard begging for her life, Hardwick said.
Detectives later determined that Johnson fired 14 rounds from a .40-caliber handgun while attempting to shoot the male target, police said. The victim hid under a truck and later fled on foot when Johnson ran out of ammunition.
Johnson then left in his vehicle to find the man but later returned to the business. He stole the victim’s pickup truck and ended up on U.S. 1 near International Golf Parkway.
Meanwhile, the frantic coworker flagged down a driver for help, warning that someone was trying to kill him.
Deputies later spotted Johnson on U.S. 1 and attempted a PIT maneuver. The first attempt failed, but a second succeeded, spinning his truck onto the shoulder. Johnson exited the vehicle, waving a gun and shouting, “Shoot me! Kill me!”
Deputies fired after he refused to surrender. Johnson was pronounced dead en route to a local hospital.
“This is a man we know is going to kill somebody,” Hardwick said. “We are not letting him walk down U.S. 1 and shoot another innocent person.”
The Citizen will update this story.
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