‘No One is Taking Accountability’: Family Demands Justice for 19-Year-Old Killed in Deerfield Beach

A Broward County family is demanding accountability and justice after the tragic death of their 19-year-old son, Jonathan Johnson, who was shot and killed in Deerfield Beach last month. The family continues to mourn as they wait for further developments in the case, hoping for the legal process to move swiftly toward justice.

The Pain of Losing Jonathan Johnson

“It’s been a whole month, my son has been buried, and it seems like no one is taking accountability,” said Aminta Nixon, Johnson’s grieving mother. The family is struggling with the loss of their son, and Nixon describes the daily pain as a constant battle to cope. “Every day is a struggle to get past,” she said. The heartbreaking loss of her son has left Nixon and the rest of the family searching for answers and hoping for justice. On Friday, the man arrested in connection to Johnson’s death, Kenneth Philpart Jr., appeared before a judge. The judge denied Philpart’s request for a lower bond, citing his criminal history and the fact that some of his alleged crimes were committed while he was wearing an ankle monitor. Nixon described Philpart as “a menace to society,” emphasizing the family’s demand for accountability and justice.

Details of the Shooting Incident

On March 1, Broward County deputies responded to a shooting incident on Southwest 14th Street in Deerfield Beach, where they found Johnson suffering from a gunshot wound. The investigation revealed that after deputies established a perimeter, they found Philpart in his underwear, holding a gun. Authorities say Philpart attempted to flee the scene but was later apprehended while hiding in a trash can. Philpart claimed during his arrest that the shooting was in self-defense, but Johnson’s family strongly disagrees with this assertion. They believe that Philpart, along with others, conspired to murder Johnson. The details of the situation remain under investigation, but Johnson’s family is adamant that Philpart should be held accountable for their son’s death.

Charges and Legal Proceedings

Philpart has been charged with several offenses, including possession of a firearm by an adjudicated delinquent, possession of fentanyl with intent to sell, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, improper exhibition of a firearm, and resisting an officer without violence. At this stage, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office (BSO) is continuing its investigation, which will be presented to the Broward County State Attorney’s Office to determine if homicide charges will be filed. The Johnson family remains hopeful that, as the case progresses, Philpart will be held responsible for the death of their son. They continue to advocate for justice as they navigate their grief and search for closure in this difficult time. As the legal proceedings unfold, the family of Jonathan Johnson remains steadfast in their hope that justice will prevail, and that those responsible for his death will be held accountable for their actions.