D.A. Bragg Announces Prison Sentence Of Rodney Johnson For Murder Of Younger Sister

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. today announced the sentencing of RODNEY JOHNSON, 29, to 25 years-to-life in state prison for fatally stabbing his 20-year-old sister Shayla Johnson in July 2023. On May 27, 2025, JOHNSON pleaded guilty to one count of Murder in the Second Degree.

"Rodney Johnson viciously and repeatedly stabbed his own sister in a deadly act of violence in their home," said District Attorney Bragg. "The defendant seized the opportunity to attack his sister at one of her most vulnerable moments and ultimately killed her in front of their mother. No family should ever have to experience this type of horrific and traumatic conduct. I sincerely hope that Shayla Johnson's family and loved ones can heal and recover from this devastating tragedy."

As admitted in the defendant's guilty plea, and according to court documents and statements made on the recordca in court, RODNEY and Ms. Johnson were living with their mother in an apartment in NYCHA's Lincoln Houses in East Harlem. Leading up to the stabbing, including the day prior, Ms. Johnson had an ongoing conflict with RODNEY over his alleged acts of violence.

On July 19, 2023, at approximately 8:00 a.m., RODNEY followed Ms. Johnson into the bathroom of the apartment and stabbed her multiple times as she prepared to take a shower. Ms. Johnson called out to her mom for help and ran into her mother's bedroom. RODNEY followed Ms. Johnson into the bedroom, wrestled her to the floor and continued attacking her with the knife. During the attack, the mother, who was in the bedroom and witnessed the incident, called 911 to report and tried to intervene to stop RODNEY. Eventually, RODNEY stopped after Ms. Johnson became unresponsive. RODNEY fled the apartment.

A few minutes later, first responders arrived at the scene and NYPD officers arrested RODNEY, who was in front of the building. First responders found Ms. Johnson bleeding from multiple stab wounds to her body, including to her chest and neck. She also had wounds on her face, head, hands and back. The first responders attempted to revive Ms. Johnson with lifesaving measures, including CPR, but were unsuccessful. She was transported to the hospital where she was pronounced dead as a result of multiple stab wounds to the neck and chest.

A bloody knife was recovered from inside the apartment.

Assistant D.A. Amy Hare (Deputy Bureau Chief of Trial Bureau 40) and Assistant D.A. Katherine Coulson handled the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Robert Ferrari (Former Chief of Trial Bureau 40) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Trial Preparation Assistant Kyle McMahan (Trial Bureau 40), former Trial Preparation Assistant Sarah Rogers, and Victim Services Advocate Donovan Smile (Survivor Services Bureau) provided invaluable assistance in the prosecution.

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Detectives Daniel Velasquez and Patrick McClintock; Officers Katherine Rodriguez, Marcos Rodriguez, Abdul Sikder, Edward Westervelt and Elizabeth Rosario; PSA 5, the 25th Precinct Detective Squad, and FDNY RMT Kenny Yu and his fellow medical technicians who responded to the scene.

Defendant Information:

RODNEY JOHNSON

New York, NY

Convicted:

• Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-I felony, one count

Sentenced:

• 25 years-to-life in state prison

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