Saturday, February 15, 2025

WPD announces cash reward for information on Zalleux Johnson murder

WILMINGTON — The Wilmington Police Department announced that Crime Stoppers of the Lower Cape Fear is offering a cash reward, up to $5,000, for information leading to the arrest of the suspect involved in the homicide of Zalleux Johnson, Jr. — the city’s first of 2019.

According to a WPD release Monday afternoon, tipsters who wish to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-531-9845 or use Text-a-Tip. All other calls should be made to the WPD at 910-343-3609.

On the evening of Thursday, Feb. 21, Zalleux Johnson, Jr. was shot in the Creekwood South area on the 700 block of Emory Street. Officers arrived just after 11 p.m. and began administering life saving measures until EMS arrived, who transported Johnson to New Hanover Regional Medical Center where he died.

On February 26 Police Chief Ralph Evangelous, investigators, and the victim’s mother begged for an end to attempts at retaliation. Evangelous said the WPD considered the shooting gang-related and that officers had responded to several ShotSpotter notifications, “one of which has confirmed to be retaliation in the days that followed” Johnson’s death.

“One homicide is too many. One act of retaliation is too many,” Evangelous said.

Captain Thomas Tillman, who is leading the on-going investigation, also spoke at the news conference.

“We live in a system and a society where laws and justice must rule. Retaliation on the streets is not justice. Retaliation on the streets could bring about more innocent victims,” Tillman said.

The victim’s mother, Yolanda Hayes, urged for justice – not retaliation.

“The only thing you can do for me is [to] bring my son’s killer to justice. I don’t want anybody to try and take it into their own hands. I don’t want another mother to feel the pain that I feel,” Hayes said.

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