Visiting Henry County teen slain in War-town shooting

The nickname “War-town” that has long been identified with the city of Warner Robins was done so simply as a way to creatively shorten the name (as are the cases with “Mac-town” for Macon and “A-town” for Atlanta”). It was never intended to define what goes on in the streets of the city. However, such can be said for the events surrounding the untimely death of Tanyla Johnson, age 15, of Henry County, who was visiting her family in middle Georgia for the Labor Day weekend. Because of unfolding incidents that included senseless gun violence, she will not be returning home. Fatefully, on the night of Friday, September 4, Johnson attended a block party that would snuff out her life all too soon. During the gathering, she sustained life-threatening gunshot wounds. Emergency responders did what they could, but in the end, the teenager was rushed to Houston Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.

It was earlier that night, at approximately 9:54 p.m., that Warner Robins Police Department (WRPD) received a “disturbing the peace” complaint resulting in officers being dispatched to the corner of Mauldan Court and Dunmurry Place. As officers arrived at the scene, they saw gunmen firing shots from a fleeing vehicle, but due to the large number of people in attendance, officers were unable to navigate, pursue and identify the gunmen.

“Cowardliness,” said Warner Robins Police Chief John Wagner. “Someone fired a gun into a large crowd of people, and I am sadden that we have lost another youth.” Wagner went on to say, “Saturday night was long for us and we have other area law enforcement agencies assisting us with our ongoing investigation. Currently, there are no people of interest, so we are seeking help from the general public.”

Wagner confirmed that two underage males and two other underage females were also injured at the block party. A 17-year-old male was shot in his heel, and another was shot in the hand. A 17-year-old female was shot in both legs while another young woman was shot in her cheek. Due to their ages and the ongoing investigation, the names of the injured are not being released at this time.

Wagner stated, “The youth of today’s age feels the need to fire guns and weapons. Stop the violence in War-town,” he urged.

At press deadline on Tuesday morning, no arrests had been made in connection to the shooting death of Tanyla Johnson, and no reason or cause for the gunfire was made known to the general public. The incident remains a part of a continuing investigation.

If anyone has any information in regard to this incident, they are asked to please contact the Warner Robins Police Department or the Macon Regional Crime stoppers, at 1-877-68CRIME.

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