‘F— off’: Man Gunned Down Woman on Sidewalk After She Refused to ‘Get High’ with Him

James Johnson, a 43-year-old man from West Des Moines, has been found guilty of first-degree murder after fatally shooting 42-year-old Nikkie Loffredo in a random act of violence last July. The shooting occurred after Loffredo, who was walking along a Des Moines sidewalk, rejected Johnson’s offer to “come get high” with him. Prosecutors described the incident as a senseless killing triggered by Johnson’s feelings of disrespect.

The Encounter That Led to Tragedy

According to prosecutors, Johnson saw Loffredo walking on Euclid Avenue in Des Moines early on July 27, 2024. He approached her from his vehicle, a GMC Yukon, and asked if she wanted to “come get high” with him. Loffredo, who was out for a late-night walk, responded by saying, “Who are you? Never mind, f— off,” before walking away. Johnson later testified that he had been consuming cocaine and marijuana that evening and had been driving around, feeling disrespected after Loffredo’s response. He admitted to firing a handgun four times from his Chevrolet Tahoe at Loffredo, but claimed that he was not aiming to kill her—only to scare her.

The Motive Behind the Killing

Prosecutors argued that the murder was not premeditated but fueled by Johnson’s boredom and the desire to use his handgun. During the trial, Prosecutor Levi Grove stated that Johnson had been “trolling the neighborhood looking for a reason to use that gun.” Johnson himself testified that he had been trying to avoid an argument with his girlfriend and had been driving around the city to pass the time. He also admitted that he felt guilty for lying to police during the investigation but ultimately acknowledged his actions. Johnson’s decision to approach Loffredo, who had no prior connection to him, appeared to be driven by a need to assert control in a moment of frustration. He claimed that her refusal to engage with him “pissed me off,” and that feeling of disrespect led him to escalate the situation to violence.

Consequences and Sentencing

Johnson, a convicted felon who was prohibited from owning a firearm, now faces life in prison for the murder of Loffredo. The shooting left Loffredo with fatal injuries, and she died two days later from the wounds. The tragic incident, prosecutors argued, could have been avoided if not for Johnson’s reckless behavior. At trial, Johnson expressed remorse for his actions, saying, “I didn’t mean to hurt her; I certainly didn’t mean to kill her.” He also admitted to attempting to mislead investigators but later revealed the truth when his guilt overwhelmed him. Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced on June 20, where he faces the prospect of life behind bars for his actions that night.