Thomas Johnson, a former wide receiver at Texas A&M University, has been charged with murder after police say he fatally stabbed a jogger in an apparently random attack. (Dallas Police Department)
A former Texas A&M football player has been charged with murder after randomly attacking a jogger with a machete in Dallas, police said.
Thomas Johnson, 21, was arrested Monday after the attack at White Rock Creek Trail at about 7:55 a.m., police said. The male victim, who has not yet been identified, died at a local hospital as a result of stab and slash wounds. He was not carrying any identification and appeared to be a white male between the ages of 25 to 35, police said.
Johnson, a Dallas native, left the Aggies football team in 2012 during his freshman season.
He is being held without bail, police said.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Police Say Johnson Picked the Victim at Random & Then Called 911 After the Attack
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Police said at a press conference that Johnson apparently picked his victim at random. Johnson called 911 to report the stabbing after the attack.
Deputy Chief Rob Sherwin said Thomas Johnson admitted to the crime.
“It’s just very unusual. It’s quite shocking,” Sherwin told the Dallas Morning News.
Sherwin said Johnson had recently been kicked out of his home, and was angry about his situation.
A witness, identified only as Brandon, told NBC Dallas-Fort Worth that he came upon the attack while it was still happening, and saw the victim get hit six or seven times with a machete.
“As I get closer and closer I could tell it was a machete and there are repeated blows that are occurring. As I get closer, I could see what’s being hit is a person, laying face down on the ground,” Brandon told the news station. “It was apparent to me by the time I got close that there was nothing that could be done for the person. I heard a little bit of a yell from behind. I assume it was the guy with the machete yelling to stop. I just kept going and I just kept going.”
Sherwin also provided information about a separate homicide in Dallas. Zoe Hastings, 18, was found dead Monday morning after she was reported missing Sunday night. Police say a suspect in that homicide has not been identified.
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2. He Left Texas A&M After Disappearing Mysteriously
Thomas Johnson in 2012 while at Texas A&M. (the12thman.com)
Johnson disappeared mysteriously in November 2012 while he was in his freshman year at Texas A&M, according to an ESPN article from the time.
Police searched for Johnson for 48 hours, before he turned up in his hometown of Dallas.
“That’s an ongoing process right now,” Aggies coach Kevin Sumlin said at the time. “I think he’s trying to decide where he is, if he’s coming back, if he comes back next semester, if he’s going to take the year off or if he’s going to transfer. In my conversations with him that’s where he is. He’s just trying to figure out what his next step is going to be.”
3. He Was a High School All-American & Made Highlight-Reel Plays During His Brief College Career
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Johnson was an Under Armour All-American at Skyview High School in Dallas, according to his profile on the Texas A&M website. He was the third-ranked high school wide receiver in his class and a four-star recruit.
He played in 10 games with the Aggies before he left the team, catching 30 passes for 339 yards and a touchdown. He had three catches in his final game, an upset victory over Alabama.
His former college head coach, Kevin Sumlin, called him one of the best wide receivers in the country when he was a high school senior.
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4. His Mother Said Last Year He Planned to Return to Football
Johnson made three catches in his final game with the Aggies, against Alabama in 2012. (Getty)
The San Antonio Express-News tried to track down Johnson last year, and talked to his mother, who told the newspaper that her son planned to return to football.
“He told me he wants to play ball again,” his mother, Linda Hanks said. “Football is in his blood. It’s part of his DNA.”
She said, “Thomas is doing good — he really is. God has a plan for him. What happened at A&M? That’s just something in the past. That’s all it is — just something in the past.”
But, according to the Dallas Morning News, Johnson was arrested last year and charged with burglary of a habitation, auto theft and evading arrest after allegdly breaking into his aunt’s house. He was also accused of stealing her mini van and money. His aunt told police that he “had been causing problems in the family for a long period of time.”
He received probation, but the newspaper reported that prosecutors wanted to revoke his probation after he tested positive for marijuana and did not meet other conditions of his bail, including paying fees.
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5. Police Provided Tips for Joggers, Walkers & Runners After the Killing
Police still out at crime scene on White Rock Creek trail. Several layers of tape out here. pic.twitter.com/gZqSEVOssU
A former Texas A&M football player has been charged with murder after randomly attacking a jogger with a machete in Dallas, police said.
Thomas Johnson, 21, was arrested Monday after the attack at White Rock Creek Trail at about 7:55 a.m., police said. The male victim, who has not yet been identified, died at a local hospital as a result of stab and slash wounds. He was not carrying any identification and appeared to be a white male between the ages of 25 to 35, police said.
Johnson, a Dallas native, left the Aggies football team in 2012 during his freshman season.
He is being held without bail, police said.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Police Say Johnson Picked the Victim at Random & Then Called 911 After the Attack
This embed is invalid
'>
Police said at a press conference that Johnson apparently picked his victim at random. Johnson called 911 to report the stabbing after the attack.
Deputy Chief Rob Sherwin said Thomas Johnson admitted to the crime.
“It’s just very unusual. It’s quite shocking,” Sherwin told the Dallas Morning News.
Sherwin said Johnson had recently been kicked out of his home, and was angry about his situation.
A witness, identified only as Brandon, told NBC Dallas-Fort Worth that he came upon the attack while it was still happening, and saw the victim get hit six or seven times with a machete.
“As I get closer and closer I could tell it was a machete and there are repeated blows that are occurring. As I get closer, I could see what’s being hit is a person, laying face down on the ground,” Brandon told the news station. “It was apparent to me by the time I got close that there was nothing that could be done for the person. I heard a little bit of a yell from behind. I assume it was the guy with the machete yelling to stop. I just kept going and I just kept going.”
Sherwin also provided information about a separate homicide in Dallas. Zoe Hastings, 18, was found dead Monday morning after she was reported missing Sunday night. Police say a suspect in that homicide has not been identified.
Zoe Hastings: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
Zoe Hastings, 18, was found dead in a mini-van that crashed into a creek in Dallas, Texas. She died of "obvious homicidal violence," police say.
Click here to read more
2. He Left Texas A&M After Disappearing Mysteriously
Thomas Johnson in 2012 while at Texas A&M. (the12thman.com)
Johnson disappeared mysteriously in November 2012 while he was in his freshman year at Texas A&M, according to an ESPN article from the time.
Police searched for Johnson for 48 hours, before he turned up in his hometown of Dallas.
“That’s an ongoing process right now,” Aggies coach Kevin Sumlin said at the time. “I think he’s trying to decide where he is, if he’s coming back, if he comes back next semester, if he’s going to take the year off or if he’s going to transfer. In my conversations with him that’s where he is. He’s just trying to figure out what his next step is going to be.”
3. He Was a High School All-American & Made Highlight-Reel Plays During His Brief College Career
This embed is invalid
'>
Johnson was an Under Armour All-American at Skyview High School in Dallas, according to his profile on the Texas A&M website. He was the third-ranked high school wide receiver in his class and a four-star recruit.
He played in 10 games with the Aggies before he left the team, catching 30 passes for 339 yards and a touchdown. He had three catches in his final game, an upset victory over Alabama.
His former college head coach, Kevin Sumlin, called him one of the best wide receivers in the country when he was a high school senior.
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Click here to read more
4. His Mother Said Last Year He Planned to Return to Football
Johnson made three catches in his final game with the Aggies, against Alabama in 2012. (Getty)
The San Antonio Express-News tried to track down Johnson last year, and talked to his mother, who told the newspaper that her son planned to return to football.
“He told me he wants to play ball again,” his mother, Linda Hanks said. “Football is in his blood. It’s part of his DNA.”
She said, “Thomas is doing good — he really is. God has a plan for him. What happened at A&M? That’s just something in the past. That’s all it is — just something in the past.”
But, according to the Dallas Morning News, Johnson was arrested last year and charged with burglary of a habitation, auto theft and evading arrest after allegdly breaking into his aunt’s house. He was also accused of stealing her mini van and money. His aunt told police that he “had been causing problems in the family for a long period of time.”
He received probation, but the newspaper reported that prosecutors wanted to revoke his probation after he tested positive for marijuana and did not meet other conditions of his bail, including paying fees.
Judge Jerri Collins: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
A Seminole County, Florida, Judge is facing outrage after jailing a domestic violence victim for three days for not testifying against her abuser.
Click here to read more
5. Police Provided Tips for Joggers, Walkers & Runners After the Killing
Police still out at crime scene on White Rock Creek trail. Several layers of tape out here. pic.twitter.com/gZqSEVOssU
