Victim's 15-Year-Old Son Recounts Father's Murder Over Dirt Bike

TAMPA, FL — Three days after a young man tearfully relived the moment he watched his father die at the hands of Dontae Johnson, a jury convicted Johnson of first-degree murder.

Judge Samantha Ward will sentence Johnson at a future date. He faces up to life in prison.

Prosecutors from the Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office secured the guilty verdict for 22-year-old Johnson June 25.

“A father lost his life, and his son will never be the same. All over a dirt bike. It’s so senseless. No outcome can bring back this young man’s father, but this verdict delivers justice for the victim and puts the man who killed him in prison, which is where he belongs,” Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren said.

Assistant State Attorneys Michelle Doherty and Jennifer Johnson represented the state in the five-day trial.

In January 2017, the victim and his son listed a dirt bike on Craigslist and got a response to their ad from Tampa. The prospective buyers were Johnson and another man, Ramontrae Williams. The buyers promised to pay more if the bike was delivered from Holiday to Tampa.

When the 44-year-old victim and his 15-year-old son arrived at the prearranged location, the defendants asked to test drive the bike. The victim told them he would need the cash before the test drive took place. When the cash was handed over, the victim noticed it was far less than the agreed-upon price of $1,200. The victim handed the money back.

According to the state attorney, Johnson pulled out a gun and pointed it at the victim and his son. The victim told his son to run to the truck, and the victim went to get in the truck and leave.

Johnson shot the victim multiple times and his son saw him fall to the ground as he was trying to climb into the driver’s seat. Williams sped off on the bike.

The victim’s son took the stand to testify during the trial, wiping away tears as he remembered frantically trying to save his father’s life.

Williams also testified during the trial about the night of the shooting. Last year, Williams pleaded guilty to his role in the crime, receiving a sentence of 12 years in prison followed by 10 years of probation.

The 12-member jury deliberated for 90 minutes before finding Johnson guilty of first-degree murder and armed robbery.