In a tragic incident in Great Bend Township, a man has been charged with the fatal shooting of his uncle and two friends. Garrett Austin Johnson, 29, was apprehended by state police after a tense encounter that required the use of a Taser and sedation.
According to an arrest affidavit, Johnson confessed, “I killed everyone I love,” after being taken into police custody. The victims have been identified as:
● Philip Johnson, 61, from Hallstead.
● Kevin Igo, 26, from Susquehanna.
● Frank Talarico Jr., 31, from Binghamton, N.Y., previously from Florida.
Jessica Chiaramonte, the Acting Susquehanna County Coroner, verified the victims’ identities and announced that autopsies are scheduled for Wednesday.
Unstable Behavior Observed Prior to Arrest
Johnson’s parents described his behavior as unstable and aggressive after his vehicle failed to pass inspection due to unmatched registration and VIN details.
State police were alerted by a witness, Carrie Miller, who reported seeing a shirtless man in gym shorts yelling in the middle of Baptist Hill Road. Shortly after, Adam Johnson, Garrett’s father, called the police stating, “he had three bodies at his residence” and his son was seen with an AR-15 style rifle.
Adam Johnson managed to disarm his son before the police arrived. Upon arrival, Garrett Johnson approached police vehicles, jumping onto one of them, prompting officers to use a Taser and sedate him for arrest.
Police, acting on Johnson’s statement, went to his home on Baptist Hill Road, discovering the bodies of the victims, all with gunshot wounds.
Family Encounter with Tragedy
Interviews with Adam and Nancy Johnson provided further insights into the events leading up to the incident. Earlier that day, Garrett Johnson had dropped off his vehicle for inspection, but the process was halted due to documentation discrepancies.
Upon returning home, Adam Johnson noticed his son’s erratic behavior as they drove on Baptist Hill Road. Both parents described a series of aggressive actions by their son, including physical assaults on them.
Nancy Johnson recounted finding her son’s rifle in the road and subsequently hiding it in their basement after discovering the bodies on their back deck.
The rifle was later retrieved by investigators for evidence.
Legal Proceedings Underway
Authorities attempted to interview Garrett Johnson at the State Police Gibson Barracks. Trooper John Petroshuk noted in the affidavit that Johnson acknowledged his legal predicament, stating, “he already knew he was [expletive].”
Johnson requested a lawyer, ending the interview. Subsequently, he faced arraignment before Magisterial District Judge Jodi L. Cordner on multiple charges, including three counts of criminal homicide. He remains in custody at Lackawanna County Prison without bail, pending further legal proceedings.
