JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Members of the MAD DADS organization walked Saturday to raise awareness about the unsolved killing of 15-year-old Johnnie Carter.
Johnnie Carter was shot and killed July 6 in the street near the intersection of Sunderland Road and Vista Avenue, two blocks west of Blanding Boulevard.
MAD DADS' Donald Foy said their walk was an effort to “ignite the community to break the code of silence.” Foy added, “We want the individual responsible brought to justice.”
Carter’s mother, Erica Carter, joined the MAD DADS activists in their plea to break the silence.
“I'd like to tell public that what happened to my son happens way too often in this city, Erica Carter said. “This (case) is going unsolved because no one has the nerve or heart to speak about what they know. We have a witness’ voice testimony bragging about it on social media. We’ve had people saying they know stuff they don't really know. We need the ones who truly know to come forward.”
Carter said her son was a great kid who was dealing with a lot of pain.
“He was bullied,” she said. “There is a lot of racism that goes on in this neighborhood.”
The burden on Erica Carter is almost too much to bear.
“If I didn't have three other children I wouldn't want to be here,” she said. “The thing that keeps me going is my children, the rage inside of me and the need for accountability.”
Anyone with information regarding Johnnie Carter’s case, is asked to call 1-800-CRIMESTOPPERS.