Media Release 86
Justifiable Death Investigation
The Birmingham Police Department reports detectives are conducted a death investigation. The incident occurred on Thursday, April 17, 2020.
The deceased has been identified as
Gregory Johnson, (50), B/M, of Birmingham, Alabama
At approximately 4:00 p.m., Officers the West Precinct responded to a call of a disorderly person at Marino’s Grocery Store located at 2415 Ave E. While in route to the call officers were updated that Marino’s Security Guard was involved in a physical altercation with the disorderly subject. Officers arrived and discovered the subject on the ground, unconscious and detained in handcuffed. The subject was handcuffed by the security guard. The subject was transported to Princeton Hospital where he was pronounced deceased by hospital staff.
The preliminary investigation revealed the subject was inside Marino’s Grocery Store causing a disturbance. The security guard escorted the subject out of the store and left the location for a short time before returning to the property. The subject and the security guard then became engaged in a physical altercation which lead to the subject being rendered unconscious.
BPD Homicide Investigators presented the information gathered on the case to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office for review. Following the assessment of the information, the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office ruled the actions of the person involved were justified as defense. This investigation is reclassified as Justified Death.
There will be no criminal charges to follow.
This was Birmingham’s 29th homicide investigation of 2020 and the 5th justifiable death investigation. The Birmingham Police Department adheres to FBI Uniform Crime Reporting guidelines set for all law enforcement agencies across the United States. FBI Uniform Crime Reporting guidelines do not require law enforcement agencies to include justifiable death investigations into the total homicide investigations counts.
*The information is based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation, which continues to evolve as investigators interview witnesses, review physical and electronic records, and analyze forensic evidence. The Department’s understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed**
