MESQUITE, Texas (AP) -- The Dallas sniper had been sent home from Afghanistan after being accused of sexually harassing a female, and was described as a loner who followed black militant groups on social media.
Micah Xavier Johnson, who fatally shot five officers and wounded seven more before police killed him with a remote-controlled bomb on Friday, lived with family members in the blue-collar suburb of Mesquite, where he played basketball for hours at a time.
Friends there said the 25-year-old black man didn't seem interested in politics, but his Facebook page suggests otherwise: He "liked" black militant groups including the African American Defense League and the New Black Panther Party, which was founded in Dallas.
His photo showed him wearing a dashiki and raising his fist over the words "Black Power," and his cover shot carried the red, black and green Pan-African flag.
For six years starting in 2009, Johnson served in the Army Reserve as a private first class with a specialty in carpentry and masonry, the military said.
In May 2014, six months into his Afghanistan tour, he was accused of sexual harassment by a female soldier. The Army sent him stateside, recommending an "other than honorable discharge," said Bradford Glendening, the military lawyer who represented him.
That recommendation was "highly unusual," Bradford said, since counseling is usually ordered before more drastic steps are taken.
"In his case, it was apparently so egregious, it was not just the act itself," Glendening told The Associated Press. "I'm sure that this guy was the black sheep of his unit."
According to a court filing Glendening read over the phone Friday, the victim said she wanted Johnson to "receive mental help," while also seeking a protective order to keep him away from her and her family, wherever they went. Johnson was ordered to avoid all contact with her.
Glendening said Johnson was set to be removed from the Army in September 2014 because of the incident, but instead got an honorable discharge months later — for reasons he can't understand.
"Someone really screwed up," he said. "But to my client's benefit."
When authorities searched Johnson's home Friday they found bomb-making materials, ballistic vests, rifles, ammunition, and a personal journal of combat tactics.
Dallas Police Chief David O. Brown said Johnson told negotiators before he was killed that he was acting alone and was unaffiliated with any group.
The chief said Johnson cited the fatal shootings of black men by police officers in Louisiana and Minnesota, which prompted the protest march in Dallas and many other cities. View gallery This undated photo posted on Facebook on April 30, … This undated photo posted on Facebook on April 30, 2016, shows Micah Johnson, who was a suspect in t …
"The suspect said he was upset with white people and wanted to kill white people, especially white officers," Brown said.
Activists with Black Lives Matter, whose peaceful march police were guarding as he opened fire, repudiated the shootings, and it wasn't immediately clear if Johnson had any connection to the movement, which has disavowed violence.
But one of the groups Johnson "liked" on Facebook, the African American Defense League, posted a message earlier in the week encouraging violence against police in response to the killing in Louisiana.
"The Pig has shot and killed Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana! You and I know what we must do and I don't mean marching, making a lot of noise, or attending conventions. We must 'Rally The Troops!' It is time to visit Louisiana and hold a barbeque." The message was attributed to Dr. Mauricelm-Lei Millere, a leader in the organization.
Another group Johnson "liked" was the New Black Panther Party, whose leaders have "long expressed virulently anti-white and anti-Semitic opinions," according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Johnson also "liked" the Nation of Islam and the Black Riders Liberation Party, which the center described as "hate groups."
Among Johnson's other social media likes were groups that focus on the history and accomplishments of African-Americans, such as Black Love Matters, the Nubian Rootz Cultural Center, and I Love Black Archaeologist, a web series whose main character uses a time machine to visit famous black people. View gallery Investigators leave the home of Micah Xavier Johnson … Investigators leave the home of Micah Xavier Johnson in the Dallas suburb of Mesquite, Texas, Friday …
The Dallas Police Department said Johnson's Facebook account also included information about Richard Griffin, also known as Professor Griff, who "embraces a radical form of Afrocentrism."
On his Facebook page Friday afternoon, Griffin, a member of Public Enemy — an influential hip hop group known for its politically charged lyrics — said he does "not advocate killing Cops."
Johnson had no criminal history, according to authorities. Local court records show his parents were divorced in 1996.
He was believed to have shared a two-story tan brick home in Mesquite with family members. He graduated from John Horn High School in Mesquite, where he was a ROTC member, school district officials said.
Sharon Carter, who works in the district's registrar's office and lives near Johnson's home, said she saw him occasionally wearing military fatigues as he left for Army reservist training, but never saw him armed.
"They say he was standoffish in high school," Carter said. "I never really spoke to him. He kept to himself."
A relative had praised Johnson on his birthday in 2014 as "definitely Army strong" on his Facebook page, calling him an "entertaining, loving, understanding, not to mention handsome friend, brother (and) son."
After Johnson was killed, a relative posted on her Facebook page, "I keep saying its not true...my eyes hurt from crying. Y him??? And why was he downtown." She did not respond to Facebook messages.
Friend Israel Cooper said Johnson went by "Xavier,' his middle name, had a "cool vibe," wasn't really political and seemed educated.
Cooper said he and Johnson played basketball at a park near his home. "He would be out there for eight hours. Like it was his job. Just hoopin'," he said.
Cooper said that when he heard the suspect was Johnson, he "was in disbelief because he's just not like a violent or rough dude."
"So I was, 'Nah, it's probably another Xavier somewhere, you know,'" Cooper said. "But then, with pictures on the internet and stuff, I'm like 'OK.' "
Cooper added: "It's the quiet ones that just do the most devastating stuff. You never see it coming. But then it's more expected, like 'I should have known.'"
___
Weiss reported from Greenville, South Carolina. Associated Press reporters Juliet Linderman in Mesquite; Hannah Cushman from Chicago; and Robert Burns Washington, D.C., contributed to this report. AP researchers Rhonda Shafner and Randy Herschaft also contributed to this report.
#1: Justified To: All (#0)
This is what progressives do. They separate people by groups and classes. Then they pit them against each other so they can do their dirty deeds.
America use to be great! It was not perfect but no nations has ever been perfect or could be perfect. This is what progressives do not understand. Upon this mortal earth perfection can never be achieved due to corrupt man. The best we can hope for is a government that see a citizen who is equal to any other citizen no matter what class or group they are from.
Justified posted on 2016-07-09 07:43:22 Reply Private Reply
#2: GrandIsland To: Justified (#1)
GrandIsland posted on 2016-07-09 08:07:43 Reply Private Reply
#3: Logsplitter To: Justified (#0)
Logsplitter posted on 2016-07-09 09:03:08 Reply Private Reply
#4: Justified To: Logsplitter (#3)
Why do you use this word? It adds zero to the debate but actually takes away from the truth.
She could have been white, black or even brown.
This all comes back to military boys acting as police while being blown to bits by the hidden enemy. It exacerbates mental issues. Military is for killing and destroying things.
Justified posted on 2016-07-09 09:08:11 Reply Private Reply
#5: BorisY To: Justified (#0)
yes
we
... con
whip
rope
... chains
... hoax
muhhamed
the
belt
way
sniper
love
boris
BorisY posted on 2016-07-09 14:42:45 Reply Private Reply
#6: tpaine To: GrandIsland (#2)
What veterans clinic do you go to where they strip search?
Are you a veteran of any of our armed forces?
tpaine posted on 2016-07-09 15:11:39 Reply Private Reply
#7: GrandIsland To: tpaine (#6)
Evidently, WW1, WW2, Vietnam and Korea wars never produced such a prescription drug dependent group of weak minds... but this mentally weak younger generation that was shipped off to the Middle East war zones came back drooling like one flew over the cuckoo's nest. And all you Jane Fonda war hating libtards jump all over the PTSD phenomena.
GrandIsland posted on 2016-07-09 15:41:41 Reply Private Reply
#8: GrandIsland To: Justified (#0)
This must have not been yella enough or support his AGENDA. I'm sure this was a Decktard FALSE FLAG... he hates it when military, cop blockers, OWS or Black Lies Matter activists go cuckoo... it's bad anarchist PR
GrandIsland posted on 2016-07-09 16:09:03 Reply Private Reply
#9: tpaine To: GrandIsland now attacking veterans. Has he no shame? (#7)
What veterans clinic do you go to where they strip search?
Are you a veteran of any of our armed forces?
None of the veterans clinics I've been in have magnetometers, you phony.
You're the drooling, idiotic phoney around here. And you must be getting ideas like the above from some anti-war site.
All a phony like you is good at is juvenile name calling. -- Your mother should be ashamed.
tpaine posted on 2016-07-09 17:48:45 Reply Private Reply
#10: GrandIsland To: tpaine (#9)
Memory serves me correctly, didn't your girlfriend, Decktard, just post an article where the big bad fully armed police beat up an old vet going through a magnetometer, at a clinic because he refused to give his ID before he went through?
GrandIsland posted on 2016-07-09 18:04:21 Reply Private Reply
#11: Roscoe To: GrandIsland (#10)
Roscoe posted on 2016-07-09 18:11:25 Reply Private Reply
#12: tpaine To: GrandIsland (#10)
Beats me, as I don't read much of what of Deckard posts. ---- When you canary clowns get to having hissy fits with him, I read everyone's crap, --- and comment on the humorous shit.
You guys are really funny, inadvertently.
tpaine posted on 2016-07-09 18:15:18 Reply Private Reply
#13: tpaine To: RoscoeMojave fake vet? --- Y'ALL (#11)
Roscoe is a veteran? Anyone know if this is true?
Maybe roscoe/Mojave has just outed himself as a fake vet.
tpaine posted on 2016-07-09 18:20:03 Reply Private Reply
#14: tpaine To: Roscoe (#11)
I served 1955 - 1958 with the 11th Airborne Infantry Division, 502nd and 503rd Regiments.
Two bits roscoe will not/can not reveal his service dates and units.
tpaine posted on 2016-07-09 18:26:58 Reply Private Reply
#15: Deckard To: GrandIsland (#8)
Still a coward I see.
Deckard posted on 2016-07-09 18:27:42 Reply Private Reply
#16: tpaine To: Roscoe, challenged --- is he a phony? --- Y'ALL? (#11)
I have been in a few that have none:--
Vets hospital, Palo Alto Ca.
Vets clinic, Menlo Park Ca.
Vets clinic, Susanville Ca.
Vets hospital, Reno Nv.
Please list a few that have magnetometers.
tpaine posted on 2016-07-09 18:40:11 Reply Private Reply
#17: tpaine To: All --- crickets to the cowards, --- roscoe, grandisland, ---- Y'ALL (#16)
tpaine posted on 2016-07-09 19:01:29 Reply Private Reply
#18: Roscoe To: GrandIsland (#10)
From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Handbook:
(5) Use of Magnetometers:
(a) For the purpose of detecting concealed weapons, the establishment of walk- through metal detection screening stations and/or the use of hand-held metal detectors is authorized. The establishment of a metal detector screening station will require:
1. A threat evaluation that indicates the community is experiencing a marked degree of street violence and that a sizable number of patients and employees habitually bear concealed weapons.
2. An assessment of employee concerns for safety and security in the workplace.
3. The dedication of no less than two VA police officers to the operation of this fixed post at all times of operation. Since the purpose of this device may result in weapon confrontations, it is essential that management recognize and adhere to this requirement in planning for police staffing needs.
4. The wearing at all times of bullet resistant body armor by police personnel staffing this station.
5. The securing of all other building entrances used by employees, visitors, and patients and the enforcement of this practice.
6. The use of a stationary walk-through detector unit or a hand-held detector unit consists of a voluntary, “hands off’ search procedure. A prominent notice must be posted advising persons that a voluntary search by a metal detector is a condition for admittance. The notice should read as follows:
NOTICE OF WEAPONS SEARCH
THE POSSESSION OF ANY WEAPON BY PERSONS ENTERING THIS BUILDING IS PROHIBITED BY LAW (38 CFR $1.218 (a)( 13)). PERSONS ENTERING THE BUILDING CONSENT TO A PERSONAL SEARCH BY METAL DETECTOR AND TO THE INSPECTION OF ALL PACKAGES, LUGGAGE AND ALL CONTAINERS IN THEIR POSSESSION. METAL DETECTOR CANNOT HARM YOU AND WILL NOT AFFECT PACEMAKERS, HEARING AIDS, OR FILM. REFUSAL OF CONSENT TO SEARCH IS BASIS FOR DENIAL OF ADMITTANCE. PERSONS LEGALLY AUTHORIZED TO POSSESS FIREARMS MUST REPORT TO THE CENTER POLICE.
MEDICAL CENTER DIRECTOR
Roscoe posted on 2016-07-09 20:27:19 Reply Private Reply
#19: GrandIsland To: Roscoe (#18)
GrandIsland posted on 2016-07-09 20:40:55 Reply Private Reply
#20: Hondo68 To: Justified, Southern Poverty Law Center, lies, disinformation, *The Two Parties ARE the Same* (#0)
Progressive federally funded scaremongers. It's a government false flag operation.
A joint D&R party operation to turn out the vote, and destroy America with Hillary or Trump. Same result either way.
Hondo68 posted on 2016-07-09 20:41:45 Reply Private Reply
#21: tpaine To: Roscoe, is a phony., and a liar. The--- Y'ALL (#18)
I have been in a few that have none:--
Vets hospital, Palo Alto Ca.
Vets clinic, Menlo Park Ca.
Vets clinic, Susanville Ca.
Vets hospital, Reno Nv.
Please list a few that have magnetometers.
Poor roscoe replys by posting VA regulations, but he cannot list any facilities.
He's a phony. And a liar.
tpaine posted on 2016-07-09 23:23:22 Reply Private Reply
#22: tpaine To: GrandIsland, Y'ALL (#19)
And the fact that he is a coward.
tpaine posted on 2016-07-09 23:27:09 Reply Private Reply
#23: redleghunter To: tpaine (#6)
redleghunter posted on 2016-07-10 00:21:37 Reply Private Reply
#24: redleghunter To: Roscoe (#18)
Seems the reg addresses increased use of concealed weapons due to crime in the local area.
redleghunter posted on 2016-07-10 00:30:50 Reply Private Reply
#25: tpaine To: redleghunter (#23)
I have no doubt that there are some VA facilities with metal detectors, etc.
But knowing roscoe, I was pretty damn sure he was bullshiting, as usual. -- And grandisland, - with his strip search crap, -- has always been batshit crazy.
Thanks.
tpaine posted on 2016-07-10 01:50:49 Reply Private Reply
#26: Roscoe To: redleghunter (#24)
Yappy hates facts.Roscoe posted on 2016-07-10 01:56:35 Reply Private Reply
#27: tpaine To: Roscoe (#26)
Poor roscoe, can't post ANY facilities w/detectors that he's "been at", -- nor can he post any proof of service.
Poor phony roscoe, yaps a lot, but we all know he's a liar.
tpaine posted on 2016-07-10 02:09:14 Reply Private Reply
#28: redleghunter To: Roscoe (#26)
Which one do you go to?
redleghunter posted on 2016-07-10 18:52:08 Reply Private Reply
#29: Roscoe To: redleghunter (#28)
I don't.
Roscoe posted on 2016-07-10 19:41:57 Reply Private Reply