United States-based Guyanese singer and former Hadfield Street, Lodge resident Curt Johnson was gunned down while leaving his brother’s birthday celebrations in New Jersey in the wee hours of yesterday, his relatives say.
“He celebrated with his brother for his birthday, had a real good time and then he get gunned down, just gunned down like that,” a relative of Johnson told Stabroek News from the US last evening.
The relative said that while the motive remains unclear, they have ruled out robbery given the number of gunshots fired and the fact that Johnson was still wearing all his jewellery.
Johnson’s aunt, who was his guardian here before he migrated in the early 2000s, is said to be “taking his death really hard”, the relative related.
This newspaper understands that the New Jersey police are investigating but no one has yet been held for questioning.
“Authorities in Essex County are investigating a shooting incident that left a man dead in Irvington Township overnight. Officials are trying to piece together the circumstances behind the shooting, but in a preliminary investigation, township authorities said officers responded to reports of shots fired on Park Place early Sunday morning,” New Jersey’s RLS media yesterday morning reported.
Popular on social media, many took to express condolences for the young man who had aspirations to one day produce music for popular artists and make his ‘Roll Out Records’ label listed among the greats.
“My brother if I had known you came to tell me BYE I WOULD OF SAY SEE YOU LATER 😡😭😡😭 THIS HIT SO HARD 😞 😞 😢 you said you wanna do a Soca song but only wanna do it with me🙏 I told you I will come to your studio and we will work it out 💪 now for me to be typing GONE TOO SOON am in tears bro RIP Ceejay Johnson you will forever be remembered…………… IN THE GOOD BOOKS My condolences goes out to your families and friends,” his longtime friend and fellow musician, Guyanese, Ian ‘Fojo’ Corbin wrote on his Facebook page.
“When they see you progressing they decide to target you. My heart bleeds to hear this news, I still can’t believe this Curt. Those close to you know the extent of your humbleness and passion for greatness. You’ll forever be an inspiration to me brother. My Brother, My Mentor, My Inspiration,” another friend, Daniel Barrington wrote.
