Duck River boat ramp closed as dive teams search for evidence in February homicide
Franklin Police are following up on leads in Lattarius Johnson’s murder case.
COLUMBIA, Tenn. (WSMV) - A boat ramp to the Duck River was closed Wednesday as dive teams searched for new evidence in the February murder of Lattarius Johnson.
The Franklin Police Department said they are following up on new information in the ongoing homicide case. Johnson, 32, was shot on Valor Street in Franklin on Feb. 11 and died at the hospital.
Robert Fitzgerald, a man from Columbia, was charged with Johnson’s murder less than a week after the shooting.
“Listen, this case was solved. A suspect was arrested six days after the homicide, he’s been charged with homicide, but I think it just goes to show that with the Franklin Police Department, no stone is left unturned,” said Max Winitz, the department’s spokesperson.
Family hopes for answers
Johnson’s mother, Latonya Gentry, said her son “Piggy” was pursuing his dream of being a musician, a dream he had since he was 12 years old. In middle school, she said he turned his closet into a recording booth.
“He had his little microphone, and all the kids from the neighborhood would come and gather in his room and listen to him doing his little rap music,” Gentry said.
Growing up he earned the nickname “Piggy” from his grandma because she said he was a chubby baby. Johnson is Gentry’s only child. She said his death changed her whole world.
“He was truly my best friend. He knew me better than anybody, so it’s been really hard. It’s been really hard. I don’t sleep at all,” she said.
She says since his death, there has been an outpouring of support from his friends who she said he made a huge impact on.
“This took a toll on a lot of people because of the person that he was - I don’t even really like to say ‘was’ because he’s still here with me,” Gentry said.
Gentry went to the boat ramp to watch police search and said she wants anyone involved in her son’s murder held responsible.
“It’s not going to bring closure, but I just hope they find what they’re looking for,” she said.
The boat ramp will reopen Thursday. Police have not yet revealed whether they found anything during the search.
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