28-year-old Troy Kelly Johnson had an altercation with his friend, Joel Irving Schuster, his friend’s wife, Karen Asprilla Schuster, and his wife, Nikkia Plantilla Johnson, at their Airbnb on Mason Avenue late April 13th. Mrs. Schuster called the police, stating that her husband’s friend, Johnson, was threatening her with a handgun. When officers arrived, they heard Johnson yelling at someone, telling them they had “30 seconds” and that they “Called 911, so get on your knees,” during which officers kicked in the door and noticed Johnson on the other side of the room with a black handgun and his wife, Mrs. Johnson, on the other side near a bedroom door.
When officers entered the room, Mrs. Johnson ran to a closet, and Mr. Johnson turned toward them, dropped his weapon in compliance with their commands, and was detained. They noticed he reeked of alcohol as they escorted him out of the room for questioning, where he told them he had been threatened by the “Big Guy,” later identified as Mr. Schuster, so he drew his firearm. He told them that Mr. Schuster disrespected him and his wife.
The officers spoke with Mr. Schuster, who stated that he and Mr. Johnson argued over some comments he made to Mrs. Schuster. He said that he and Mrs. Schuster decided to leave their Airbnb and started packing their items, which was when they overheard Mr. and Mrs. Johnson yelling, so they ran to the room, where they observed Mr. Johnson with a firearm in his hand. Mr. Schuster said that Mr. Johnson told him through the door that he would “Put you guys in the ground,” referring to him and his wife. Then, he told them that he would “Put you guys in the graves, in the dirt,” placing Mr. Schuster in fear for his life. When officers talked with Mrs. Schuster, she corroborated her husband’s statements, adding she was scared for her life.
Officers then questioned Mrs. Johnson, who told them that she was trying to calm Mr. Johnson down and keep the party separated. She said when she attempted to keep him from entering the room, he struck her several times in the face, scratched her, and tried to push her away while holding the gun, threatening Mr. and Mrs. Schuster. Mrs. Johnson said he was “racking” his gun repeatedly before she got him away from the door, which was when officers entered the unit. She said the threats that officers heard from the door were not intended for her, even though she was the only one in the room. Troy Kelly Johnson was taken into custody for three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and the possession of a handgun while under the influence.
