Thun Trail shooting in Cumru Twp. near the West Reading line.
Victim; 65 year old man who was knocked off his bike; was being assaulted and robbed when he justifiably shot and killed one of his attackers, injuring the second, the third youth was detained at the youth detention center.
Julius Johnson, Killed
Julius Johnson
Julius Johnson, 16 years old September 19, 1995 ~ January 25, 2012 Thun Trail, Cumru Township shooting
Julius was a student at Reading Senior High School; where he was an active member of the Wrestling team. He had a love for fashionable clothing and shoes; he had a style that was all his own. He enjoyed listening to his favorite rap artists; playing Play Station or hanging out with his friends, and having A Good Time and while being happy with his Family. He will be remembered for his picture-perfect smile; his vibrant personality, his swagg; the enjoyment he received in experiences offered when he attended the Holy Trinity Church, the Olivets Boys Club and the community Y.E.S program. He will be Truly Missed.
Reading Eagle Article dated 1/25/2012
Coroner at scene of shooting in Cumru Township Police said they have a man in custody who told them he shot two men who tried to rob him as he rode a bicycle on the trail along the river.
Reading Eagle Article dated 1/25/2012
Man in custody after reportedly shooting two men, one fatally
One man was in custody after he reportedly shot two men — one fatally — who tried to rob him on a bicycle trail near the Schuylkill River pedestrian bridge between Reading and West Reading, officials said.
Report dated 1/25/2012
1 teen killed, another wounded in shooting on trail
Police are trying to unravel the circumstances surrounding a shooting that left one teenager dead and another wounded.
Article dated 1/26/2012
Victim kills teen robber on trail, police say A 65-year-old man shot two teens, one fatally, as they tried to rob him Wednesday morning on a trail near the Schuylkill River, police said.
Report dated 1/25/2012
Police: Man shot teens in self defense 16-year-old killed, another teen wounded, one arrested
Police say the teens knocked the man off his bicycle and onto the ground.
They say two of the teens were assaulting the man when he pulled out a gun and shot them.
The coroner says a 16-year-old Reading boy suffered a gun shot wound to the chest.
Police say the other teen and the man were taken in for questioning.
Afterwards, police say they spoke with District Attorney John Adams and decided to release the man and commit the uninjured teen to the Youth Detention Center.
Article dated 1/26/2012
Cops: Man, 65, kills teen who knocks him off bicycle Cyclist is released by police, who say two teenagers assaulted him
WFMZ News dated 1/26/2012
DA: Robbery victim, 65, justified in shooting of teens on trail
Shooter was teens' third victim in an hour Wednesday morning, officials say
Reading Eagle article dated 1/27/2012
No charges for man who shot teens 65 year old city man acted in self defense in killing, wounding of teens, DA says "It was justifiable homicide."
Article dated 1/28/2012
Teen's death prompting truancy-protocol review
"We feel bad for the victims of these offenses," Williams said. "We feel horrible that the man had to kill a juvenile we are supervising. We intend to look into this case from start to finish to see what, if anything, could have been done differently."
Reading Eagle article dated 1/28/2012
Teen charged after shootings still in custody
Juvenile Court Master John LeVan ordered the 16 year old, of the 1200 block of Woodcrest Drive, to remain in the youth center in Bern Township on robbery and related charges.
Report dated 1/27/2012
DA: Recent self-defense shootings not a trend
Pictured Julius Johnson as shown on facebook, WFMZ report dated 1/27/2012
WFMZ report dated 1/27/2012
Shooting victim's friends speak out
"He's never been the kind of person to harm anyone that we have seen before so this is very surprising to us, He is a human being and his death shouldn't be an excuse to anybody to call him names or make fun of him."
They don't justify his actions, but want people to respect Julius' friends and family.
Julius Johnson's parents said they want to apologize for their son's actions to the man involved. They said Julius was not an angel, but he was their son and they love him.
Article dated 2/26/2012
Teen's death a cautionary tale
Article dated 3/6/2012
Boy in Thun Trail holdup committed for treatment Berks County Judge Scott Lash dismissed aggravated assault and robbery charges, declared the 16 year old delinquent and ordered him to go to ARC at Woodlawn, Harrisburg.
"If you had stood up and made your own decisions, you wouldn't be here today," he told the 16 year old. "Instead, you witnessed the death of your friend, and you were involved in criminal activity.
Article dated 4/3/2012
Boy involved in trail shooting to be sent to treatment center
