Gary man faces up to 25 years in prison for shooting dog, killing man protecting girlfriend – Chicago Tribune

A Gary man faces up to 25 years in prison after allegedly signing a plea deal admitting to shooting a dog, then shooting a man who was trying to protect his girlfriend.

Tomecko “Huggie” Johnson, 48, pleaded guilty Wednesday to voluntary manslaughter, a Level 2 felony. A judge will need to review and accept the agreement.

On September 10, 2020, he was charged with murder in the death of 24-year-old Terrance Turner on July 8, 2020.

Johnson’s sentencing hearing is April 23.

Police were called to the 1200 block of Montana Avenue around 7 p.m. on July 8, 2020, where they found Turner lying in a vacant lot.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A woman told police she and Turner were walking their dog when Johnson showed up at the end of the block on his motorcycle. He had allegedly threatened her and Turner in the past because of their dogs.

According to court records, Johnson had been in a relationship with the woman’s relative in the past.

As he, Turner and his relative were walking, they tried to walk into a field to avoid him. The affidavit states Johnson asked if they had a problem with him.

The woman started arguing again, asking why she attacked her relative last week. Johnson allegedly pulled out his gun and shot one of his dogs.

“You’re going to shoot our dog,” Turner said.

He then pointed the gun at the woman. Turner pushed him aside, then Johnson “discharged” the gun and shot him multiple times, according to the charges.

The woman, exuding “adrenaline”, attacked Johnson while trying to take his gun. Johnson hit the woman in the head with the gun before her relative tried to break up the fight. His moped overturned and Johnson fled the scene, the affidavit states.

Turner was a 2013 Thea Bowman graduate and a member of the First AME Church, according to her obituary.

mcolias@post-trib.com