April 1, 2024 | By: Crystal Anlage

Johnathen Carter was an outgoing, funny 15-year-old. His mother Erica Carter said, “He loved to make people laugh, and he was always talking. He also was very popular with the ladies.”

Johnnie, as he was affectionately known, was the 2^nd oldest of 4 siblings. He was very protective of his big sister Taylor, and younger brothers Hayden and Noah.

Johnnie loved books. His favorite of all time was Black Beauty. He also loved the movie Zombieland, which Erica said, “His brothers still love to watch.” One memory that still makes Erica smile is the time Johnnie tricked her into taking him to see the movie Deadpool, knowing it was inappropriate.

Most of the time, you could find Johnnie outside, playing with his brothers. He loved being outdoors, especially when he was playing football, skateboarding, or performing parkour tricks and flips. Erica said some of her favorite memories were watching him skateboard at Kona Skate Park. “He was a natural athlete, and people would stop to watch him in whatever he was doing.” He also loved watching the Jacksonville Jaguars and Florida Gators play football.

Stepdad Jason recalls their mutual love of Taco Bell. He said “We would stop, grab a 10 pack of tacos to split and eat them before we got home. He would promise he would eat dinner once they got there so his mom wouldn’t know, but he never could.”

On July 6. 2016, Erica received the news no parent should ever get. Johnnie had been shot and killed just a short distance from their home in Jacksonville, Florida’s Lakeshore neighborhood.

They have struggled to recover as a family and maintain their strength, as they pursue justice for Johnnie. Losing Johnnie has impacted their entire family. Erica stated, “His grandfather had heart failure after Johnathen’s murder and his siblings are also struggling with the loss of their brother in a profound way. “Instead of graduating high school, his brothers are getting their GEDs,” Erica said.

“The entire community is missing out on a great young man who was full of integrity, love and happiness,” said Erica. When asked what she would say to the person responsible for Johnnie’s death, she said “Stop and think if this was their child, what if this was done to your family, think about how they would feel.”

The family continues to work with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, to bring awareness to Johnnie’s case.

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Anyone with any information on Johnnie’s murder is asked to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904.630.0500. To remain anonymous and possibly receive a reward, contact First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1.866.845.TIPS (8477).

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