Shawn Johnson, 34, died from internal bleeding after police say his friend shot him in the armpit with a BB gun and the pellet entered his lungs. Jabari Cowart, 36, has been charged with manslaughter in connection with Johnson's death.
Background
Fort Pierce police responded to a home in the 2900 block of Avenue G around 8 p.m. Saturday after receiving reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found Johnson lying in the driveway with a puncture wound in his right armpit that was consistent with a BB gun pellet.
According to a probable cause arrest affidavit, Cowart, Johnson and two other men were in the backyard of the home shooting at trees when the incident occurred. Cowart asked if he could see the gun, and once handed the rifle-style BB gun, police say he turned toward Johnson and pulled the trigger.
"Johnson grabbed his side" and walked away before eventually collapsing, according to investigators.
The Investigation
Paramedics were treating Johnson at the scene when they realized his lungs were "filling with blood indicating that the projectile had made entry into his lungs," police wrote. Officers noted the injury was life-threatening, and Johnson was rushed to the hospital where he died.
Detectives observed that the BB gun's rifle barrel was "fairly long thus making it nearly impossible" for Johnson to have shot himself in the area where he suffered the wound. Cowart claimed Johnson accidentally shot himself, but police noted this scenario was inconsistent with the physical evidence and witness accounts.
When confronted with witness statements, Cowart continued to maintain that Johnson had shot himself. Investigators observed that Cowart was "deflecting and tried to shift the blame."
"He would take long pauses during his responses and tried to avoid answering questions," police wrote in the affidavit.
The Charges
Jabari Cowart, 36, has been charged with manslaughter in connection with Johnson's death. He is being held at St. Lucie County Jail on a $50,000 bond.
The Fort Pierce Police Department filed the charge after investigators concluded that physical evidence and witness accounts contradicted Cowart's claim that Johnson accidentally shot himself.
Key Takeaways
- Shawn Johnson, 34, died after a BB gun pellet entered his lungs and caused internal bleeding
- Jabari Cowart, 36, is charged with manslaughter and being held on $50,000 bond at St. Lucie County Jail
- Witnesses say Cowart asked to see the gun, then turned toward Johnson and fired
- Police determined the BB gun's barrel length made self-inflicted injury unlikely in that location
- Cowart requested an attorney and detectives stopped the interview
What's Next
Cowart remains held at St. Lucie County Jail pending his next court appearance. An exact date for his first court hearing was not immediately available. The investigation is ongoing, and prosecutors have not indicated whether additional charges may be filed.
The case will likely focus on the physical evidence from the BB gun, witness testimony about the moments leading up to the shooting, and forensic analysis of Johnson's wound.