Family seeks answers in 2005 Fayetteville murder
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- Those who love Creg Johnson have never given up on getting to the bottom of his murder case.
Johnson, 35, was found shot to death on Nov. 20, 2005. His body was inside Line Up Barber Shop in the 6300 block of Yadkin Road. Investigators said the young barber had been shot five times.
Johnson was last seen by a late-night customer on the evening of Nov. 19. Before that, detectives said he had been to a party on Kelmscot Court, just seven minutes away from the shop.
Investigators said Johnson most likely knew whoever shot him, and it's probable he let that person into the shop.
Each year, Vernice and Linda Thomas travel from Greensboro to Fayetteville in hopes of finding answers about their nephew's killer.
"We can't allow this to go under the rug as if this didn't happen," said Vernice Thomas. "Creg was a kind man, a gentleman, and we need to find out to put that person behind bars so we can move on with our lives."
On Thursday morning, the Thomases were joined by family members and other Fayetteville residents who have lost loved ones to murder. They're a part of the H.O.P.E., Helping Others by Providing Encouragement, group. The group is sponsored by the Fayetteville Family Justice Center, and provides support through several avenues including fellowship and court hearing accompaniment.
For the group, including the Thomases, finding Johnson's killer is about an entire community.
"I will almost guarantee you that whoever did this is not the only person that knows," said Thomas. "So, we've got to find out who did it to make this community safer to be able to put the family at ease, to put families at ease, because it is troubling."
Although Thomas said they haven't heard of any new leads since canvassing Yadkin Road last year, he's hoping 2014 will be the last year they need to do it.
"What we do know is that the pain is still there every day. There's not a day that goes by that we don't have a conversation and think about Creg and that loss," he said.
Fayetteville police, the governor's office and family members have put together a $10,000 reward.
Anyone with information about the murder is asked to call (910) 433-1856 or Crimestoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477).
Crimestoppers information can also be submitted electronically, by visiting http://fay-nccrimestoppers.org and completing the anonymous online tip sheet or by text-a-tip on your mobile device by sending a message to 274637 (in the text box type "4Tip" followed by your message).
Additionally, information about the H.O.P.E program is available through Teresa Currey and the Fayetteville Police Department at (910) 433-1849, or Stephanie Jones at (910) 433-1352. They meet every fourth Thursday at 519 Ramsey Street. Meetings begin at 6 p.m.
