Death Of Man At Ensley Store Ruled Justifiable

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The death of a 50-year-old man at an Ensley store Thursday has been ruled justifiable by investigators. The incident occurred around 4 p.m. at Marino’s Grocery Store, at 2415 Avenue E.

Sgt. Rod Mauldin of the Birmingham Police Department said the 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 man, now identified as 50-year-old Gregory Johnson of Birmingham, was handcuffed by the security guard. Johnson was transported to Princeton Hospital where he was pronounced dead by hospital staff.

The investigation revealed Johnson was inside Marino’s Grocery Store causing a disturbance, Mauldin said. The security guard escorted Johnson out of the store and left the location for a short time before returning to the property.

Mauldin said Johnson and the security guard then became engaged in a physical altercation which led to Johnson being rendered unconscious.

"BPD Homicide Investigators presented the information gathered on the case to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office for review," Mauldin said in a statement. "Following the assessment of the information, the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office ruled the actions of the person involved were justified as defense."