Report: Gun charges against Chris Johnson dropped

Oct 5, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; New York Jets running back Chris Johnson (21) before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 5, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; New York Jets running back Chris Johnson (21) before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The free agent halfback was shot in the arm while out on March 7th when his vehicle took gunfire.


After a drive by shooting that left Chris Johnson with an injured arm and one of his friends dead, Gun charge that was levied against the former Titan and Jet in January was dropped.

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From Pro Football Talk:

"Johnson posted on social media that the charge against him was dropped, adding that there was “no evidence of me doing anything wrong.” Dom Cosentino of NJ.com confirmed that the case against Johnson is now listed as closed.Johnson is currently recovering after he was shot in the shoulder in a drive-by shooting. His injuries were not serious and he is expected to be healthy enough to play this season."

Johnson was charged with open carrying of firearms, which is a misdemeanor in Orlando, Florida. The dropping of Johnson’s charge coincides with the incident with the drive-by shooting, which happened on March 7th. While Johnson will be able to make a full recovery, the shooting did leave one man dead.

Johnson had a license to carry, but was charged with open carrying. However, the charge was apparently dubious, so now that is off of Johnson’s plate as he gets ready for free agency.

Chris Johnson endured his worst season as an NFL professional in his only season with the New York Jets, gaining 663 yards and one touchdown on the ground, while receiving 24 catches for 151 yards and another touchdown. While Johnson maintains his blistering top speed, He has lost a great deal of his burst through the hole, and as he heads “over the hill’ at 29 years old, it would be hard to foresee a team targeting him in free agency with very much money.

However, Johnson has been amazingly durable in his time in the NFL, as he hasn’t missed a game in his professional career. However, since his stellar sophomore campaign in 2009 that saw him produce over 2,000 yards on the ground, his production has tapered off. Splitting carries with Chris Ivory dropped Johnson’s value considerably.

Obviously, even though Chris Johnson will end up fully recovered, this whole story is still a tragedy. With Johnson’s history in the NFL, the tendency is to make light of the situation, but fans should be glad that he is healthy.

The hope is for a full recovery for all involved, but with Johnson’s friend, Dreekius Johnson, there already is a casualty.

[H/T: Pro Football Talk]

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