Photo: Vernon Lamont Dowell
RICHMOND – 35-year-old Mark Johnson died from gunshot wounds on the morning of April 12. Two months later the Contra Costa DA’s office charged his killer after their investigation.
An argument preceded the shooting. The suspect in the shooting fled the scene before law enforcement arrived.
The Homicide Unit identified 40-year-old Vernon Lamont Dowell as the suspect. RPD put out a social media request on April 28, asking for the public’s help in locating Dowell.
Numerous tips cam in but none of them fleshed out, as Dowell stayed on the run. However, on May 29 he gave hiumself up.
The DA issued the murder charge on June 1.
The RPD said, “We cannot bring Mr. Johnson back. We hope that the arrest and murder charge against Dowell bring some closure to the Johnson family.”
They added, “We would like to thank everyone who helped in this murder investigation. The power of social media is impressive, but our community members who step up to help our investigators solve crime are amazing. Thank you!”
