About FlashAlert on Twitter:
FlashAlert utilizes the free service Twitter to distribute emergency text messages. While you are welcome to register your cell phone text message address directly into the FlashAlert system, we recommend that you simply "follow" the FlashAlert account for Washington Co. Sheriff's Office by clicking on the link below and logging in to (or creating) your free Twitter account. Twitter sends messages out exceptionally fast thanks to arrangements they have made with the cell phone companies.
Click here to add Washington Co. Sheriff's Office to your Twitter account or create one.
@WCSOOregon
On Tuesday, September 15, 2020, at 12:20 a.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a robbery call near the intersection of SW 188th Court and SW Farmington Road. When deputies arrived, they discovered 18-year-old Josiah Johnson had tried to rob a cab driver and was shot with his own gun during the robbery.
The cab driver told deputies he picked Mr. Johnson up in Gresham, and once Mr. Johnson requested to go to the Aloha area, the cab driver asked for pre-payment or collateral due to the long drive. Mr. Johnson voluntarily gave the driver his cell phone, and then they drove to a home near the intersection of SW 188th Court and SW Farmington Road.
When they arrived, Mr. Johnson tried to pay the cab driver with a fake 100 dollar bill, but the cab driver immediately recognized the bill was fraudulent. The cab driver still had possession of Mr. Johnson’s cell phone and had not been paid.
Mr. Johnson pulled a gun out and pointed it at the back of the cab driver’s head. Mr. Johnson was yelling at the cab driver, but the cab driver was unable to understand Mr. Johnson. The cab driver told deputies he saw an opportunity to grab the gun from Mr. Johnson, so he did. A struggle occurred over the gun, and during the struggle, the gun discharged - striking Mr. Johnson. The bullet entered Mr. Johnson’s left hip and exited out his left buttocks.
Both Mr. Johnson and the cab driver exited the vehicle, where the struggle continued. The cab driver was able to get the gun away from Mr. Johnson, throw it away from both of them, and yell for help. Community members from a nearby home heard the commotion and went to see what was going on. The community members helped the cab driver hold Mr. Johnson down and called 911. Deputies arrived shortly after.
Mr. Johnson was arrested at the scene and transported to a local hospital where he was treated and released for his injuries. Mr. Johnson was lodged in the Washington County jail on the following charges:
- Robbery in the first degree
- Assault in the fourth degree
- Menacing
- Unlawful use of a weapon
- Criminal possession of a forged instrument in the first degree
- Possession of a controlled substance – schedule IV