Pistol-Packing Granny Sued Over Shooting

Back in 2006, 56-year-old Margaret Johnson, who uses a motorized scooter because of a dislocated hip and herniated disk, was choked on Lenox Avenue in Harlem by Devon Johnson (no relation), a man arrested 9 times for robbery. But because she was on her way to the shooting range for a little target practice, she had her .357 magnum all lit to pop, and shot Johnson in the arm. Cops followed a trail of blood to his apartment and arrested him, but he beat the charge by claiming that Johnson shot him because he kicked her Shih Tzu after it attacked him. (For reference, here is a photo of the vicious Shih Tzu breed.)

Now, three years later, Johnson the dog-kicker (and alleged mugger) is suing Johnson the gunslinger and the Lenox Terrace apartment complex where she resides for $5 million because, according to his lawyer, building management "should have known they had a tenant walking around with a loaded weapon. What's grandma doing walking the streets with a loaded gun?" Gee, maybe to protect herself from purse-snatching scumbags? (The handgun is licensed to Johnson; she acquired it back when she was a city bus driver.) The lawyer says his client suffered permanent nerve damage from the shooting.

Margaret Johnson has refused to retain an attorney, telling the Post, "I'm not spending a dime on that son-of-a-bitch. This boils my blood. Why is he picking on me again?" It so happens that she's the granddaughter of Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson, a famous Harlem gangster who's been portrayed in movies like American Gangster. Her pedigree might explain her love for firearms; she used to own an Uzi submachine gun, among other things. So maybe Devon Johnson should consider himself lucky he walked a way with just a bullet in the arm? She tells the Post, "I'm a peaceful person. I wish that I had killed him. I didn't think you had to pay to get mugged in New York City."

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By John Del Signore in News on March 30, 2009 9:18 AM

Comments [rss]

jessecal

The DA should recommend that this guy's 'attorney' be disbarred and then prosecuted for bringing this case to court in the first place!!

John Del Signore

Wrong. I saw American Gangster and Bumpy Johnson is also characterized in that. See the cast list.

coolmikeperry

I saw American Gangster too. No lines in a movie is not a portrayal anymore than it was a portrayal of Drug Dealer #1, Serviceman in Cafe #2, White Kid or Club dancer. These characters are all uncredited just like Bumpy Johnson's character according to the IMDb site that you link to and they are listed before Mr. Johnson.

RedWhiteandBrooklyn

I say, let's shoot the scumbag's lawyer for even taking such a case. Dirtbag shyster a__hole bast__d!

coolmikeperry

Bumpy Johnson was portrayed in the movie Hoodlum not American Gangster, which was the story of Frank Lucas.

Btw, I've met Margaret Johnson several times and I'm sure that no lawyer in this country could overwhelm her logic or debating skills.

rdsizzle

"I'm a peaceful person. I wish that I had killed him"

Great line....

NannyState

I'd find for the mugger, award him a penny, and tell him to go out and get shot again so he can double his winnings.

Felix Hoenikker

Sure, this guy's a worthless shit, but the lawyer going for a cut of the $5M is worse.

Polite New Yorker

I'll gladly contribute whatever money I can to a fund to hire an attorney to defend Margaret Johnson against this outrageous lawsuit. I'd also like to know how this sleazy criminal managed to avoid conviction. Bronx juries are notoriously retarded and soft on criminals.

whitecastlerock

Still has plenty of nerve to sue this lady

ed_Extinct

he has no case. he won't get a dime.

Spirit of 76

I don't know about that. The sad thing is that with some of the juries nowadays, he actually might win.

S.D.

I'm still amazed he beat the wrap...

freddynyc

JDS: You wouldn't be moronic enough to use a stock photo here now - then again this wouldn't be the first time...

freddynyc

Ok, my apologies...

hotstepper

boomin' granny! good and plenty!

Global Wombat

Very nice.

imadick

maybe in lieu of a payment, she'll just have to wear a t-shirt that says "i'm packing and ready to shoot", and the apartment complex puts up a sign that says "warning: armed grandmothers"

Brooklynbobby

I wish she had killed him too. The sad part is that he gets to bring this to court and mug the taxpayers as well.

Rocknrope

Don't we have a three strikes rule? How does someone get arrested 9 times for robbery and not convicted at least 3 times?

And why is that Uzi barrel so long?

jaycjay

By the way, she could have been charge herself after this incident. Her premise permit allows her to have the gun loaded in her home, and to transport it to a range or hunting location. But while in transit, it's supposed to be unloaded and in a locked case, with any ammo stored in a separate locked case. Good move by the DA to use some discretion on that.