At the heart of this tragic sequence was 43-year-old Kristopher Johnson, who, according to Sheriff Hardwick, was involved in an attempted murder at a construction site just before he met his own end. Johnson, originally from New York, had a history of violent criminal behavior both in his home state and locally in St. Johns County.

The backdrop to this violent episode appeared to be a tumultuous breakup with his former girlfriend. Sheriff Hardwick pointed out that Johnson had been experiencing a “terrible breakup situation” during the preceding two weeks, which may have escalated his behavior.

On the morning of the incident, around 10 a.m., Johnson’s ex-girlfriend visited a police station in St. Augustine. Concerned for her safety, she reported feeling stalked by Johnson. Authorities advised her to obtain an injunction to protect herself from further harassment.

These developments offer a glimpse into the chaotic circumstances surrounding the shooting and underscore the severity of the underlying issues that culminated in that fateful encounter on U.S. 1.

Later at 3:40 p.m., Hardwick said SJSO received a call from Johnson, who was meeting with his ex-girlfriend at 38 Thomas Industry Way, which the sheriff said is a job site both were familiar with. He said Johnson wasn’t speaking with the dispatcher while the call was active.

Hardwick explained that in the 911 call, you can hear “a man pleading for his life… and our suspect (Johnson) is basically telling him to get on his knees, that this is basically the end.”

Shortly after, Hardwick said SJSO received six additional 911 calls from witnesses who were describing the situation.

Hardwick said Johnson was chasing a man, whose identity was also not released, around a vehicle while firing multiple shots. He said the man eventually got underneath his vehicle, as Johnson then began firing shots at him. According to Hardwick, detectives recovered 14 shell casings from the scene.

Johnson then ran out of ammo or had a malfunction with his gun, Hardwick said, as the man then took off running.

Johnson then began looking for the man by driving onto the construction site, but did not find him.

Afterward, Hardwick said Johnson went back to the scene where shots were fired, and got into the man’s vehicle, driving down Thomas Industry Way towards International Golf Parkway.

“Unbeknownst to him, our victim had actually jumped into another car on International Golf Parkway, begging for his life [and] telling that person to please stop and call 911,” Hardwick said.

Johnson’s 911 call still was active at this time, which Hardwick said helped dispatchers coordinate sending deputies to the area.

Hardwick said Johnson then turned onto U.S. 1 after turning onto International Golf Parkway. He said a deputy spotted him and attempted a PIT maneuver to stop Johnson, but was unsuccessful.

The deputy then tried a second PIT maneuver on Johnson, Hardwick said, which was successful. Johnson then came to a stop on the shoulder of the highway, just south of White Castle Road.

At this time, a second deputy arrived on scene, Hardwick said.

According to Hardwick, Johnson exited the man’s vehicle, and then started waving his gun while saying, “shoot me, shoot me, shoot me. Kill me.”

Hardwick said the two deputies shot Johnson after he did not comply with their commands for him to drop his gun.

After being shot, Hardwick said Johnson then dropped in the middle of U.S. 1, as deputies then began giving him first aid. Johnson was later taken to a hospital where he died, Hardwick said.

“You can definitely tell he’s going to kill him,” Hardwick said about Johnson in the first shooting at the construction site. “Matter of fact, it almost sounds like an execution. ‘Get on your knees’ is basically what he’s saying. ‘It’s gonna end today. I’ve already called 911, they’re on the phone, they’re already coming.’ He knows he’s gonna take this man’s life.”

Hardwick said Johnson and the man he’s accused of shooting at, knew each other though working together at the same company. He added that Johnson’s ex-girlfriend wasn’t on scene of either shooting, and that Johnson had a pre-arranged meeting at the job site with the man; the reason for the meeting is still under investigation, according to Hardwick.

Below are pictures SJSO released of Johnson’s gun.