NY Jets Update: Running Back Chris Johnson Recovering from Gunshot Wound
New York Jets running back Chris Johnson is recovering after being shot in Orlando, Florida Sunday morning.
Johnson was shot in the shoulder while another passenger, identified as 29-year-old Reggie Johnson was shot in the shoulder, hand and leg. They were both taken to the hospital in stable condition. The driver of their vehicle, Dreekius Oricko Johnson, 28, was killed at the scene.
TMZ reported, "Sources close to Johnson tell us the former NY Jets and Tennessee Titans player was returning from a concert and was heading to a recording studio when he was shot."
The relationship between the three men in the vehicle is currently unknown.
Ian Rapoport with NFL Network reported:
According to the Sheriff's deputies, a vehicle had pulled up next to the victims' car at the red light and started shooting. The shooting occurred at 4:09 a.m. at the intersection of Southland Boulevard and Orange Blossom Trail, the Orange County Sheriff's office stated according to the Orlando Sentinel. So far, no arrests have been made and the investigators are still looking for witnesses.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Chris and everyone impacted by this tragic event," the Jets said in a statement.
In January, Johnson was arrested in Orlando after the police found two semiautomatic handguns in his car. Johnson was charged with a misdemeanor and was released on a $250 bond.
Johnson will become an unrestricted free agent on Tuesday when the new league year begins at 4 p.m. ET. He signed a two-year contract worth eight million with the Jets last April. During his first season, he only recorded 663 yards and one touchdown. Last season, he rushed for 100 yards once. His performance level had significantly declined in New York in comparison to his dominant years with the Tennessee Titans.
In his NFL career, Johnson rushed for 8,628 yards and 51 touchdowns. He caught 296 passes for 2,154 yards and nine touchdowns.
Johnson, who will turn 30 this September, is expected to make a full recovery before the season starts.
