Time to talk about putting armed guards in Newark restaurants after 9 p.m. again? On Saturday night the city of Newark saw its 12th homicide of the year when an armed gunman entered the Golden Pizzeria and Grill around 11:13 p.m. Saturday night, hopped over the counter and shot 55-year-old father of six Calvin Johnson twice in the chest. Johnson, who was just finishing his shift, was pronounced dead soon after.
The shooting was the result of an apparent robbery attempt in an area that has seen an uptick in violence, but nothing was stolen after the shooting. "It happens a lot and it's getting worse unfortunately. You're running a business and looking over your shoulder at the same time," business owner Pat Lemmo told ABC. So far, no arrests have been made.
"The last time I saw him was 5:30 p.m. [Saturday], and I told him 'I love him and please hurry up and come home.' But he never made it," Nina Patton, Johnson's wife of 29 years, sobbed to reporters yesterday. She then added, "I have no money, I have no reward. But if you have a heart and a conscience, please, please pick up the phone and call because (sobs) life is too short."
Johnson's job at Golden Pizzeria was one of two pizza-slinging gigs he held down to support his family. He was reportedly known to give away free slices and even pies to the hungry. "He knew the neighborhood, he knew the customers, he was a real good guy, very hard-working man," a regular told the Star-Ledger. "He used to call me Shorty ‘cause I’m so short."
Police are looking for two gunmen. No description of them has been made available, but police say a silver car was seen fleeing the scene.
