Johnny Shorter pistol-whipped female victim, stole money before running from police with loaded firearm
MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced the conviction of a Hempstead man who pistol-whipped and robbed a woman of money and other belongings, before running from police with a loaded firearm in October 2020.
Johnny Shorter, 42, was convicted Monday after a jury trial before Judge Howard Sturim of two counts of Burglary in the First Degree (a B violent felony), two counts of Robbery in the First Degree (a B violent felony), two counts of Assault in the Second Degree (a D violent felony), two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (a C violent felony), Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (a D violent felony), and two counts of Menacing a Police Officer (a D violent felony). Shorter was found not guilty of a single count of Criminal Obstruction of Breathing (an A misdemeanor).
The trial began on April 4, 2022. The jury deliberated for two hours before delivering their verdict. The defendant is due back in court on May 18, 2022. Based on the defendant’s criminal history, he faces a potential maximum sentence of up to 125 years to life in prison.
“The victim in this case awoke that morning and entered a nightmare, as this defendant burst into her locked room, robbed and violently pistol-whipped her, and stuck a loaded firearm in her mouth,” said DA Donnelly. “In the midst of this truly terrifying ordeal, the victim had the courage and foresight to lure the defendant outside, where neighbors could hear the attack and call police, who ultimately apprehended this dangerous individual.”
District Attorney Donnelly said, according to the charges, on October 11, 2020, at approximately 11:00 a.m. in a Hempstead home where the defendant was renting a room, the defendant entered the locked bedroom of his sleeping victim and held her at gunpoint, demanding money that he claimed the victim had stolen from him.
The defendant stole credit cards, cash, and other items from the victim’s purse. He then shoved the barrel of the loaded gun into her mouth, pistol-whipped her, and continued demanding money.
In an effort to get help, the victim told Shorter that she had money in her car and convinced the defendant to leave the home. Once outside, a nearby neighbor heard the incident and called the police.
The defendant ran from the scene, gun still in his hand, with police in pursuit. During the chase, the defendant pointed his firearm at both officers. Shorter shot himself in the leg with the handgun before being apprehended by officers.
Shorter was arrested by detectives of the Hempstead Police Department and Nassau County Police Department on October 11, 2020.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsels Tracy Keeton and Nicole Aloise of the Homicide Bureau. The defendant is represented by Don Rollock, Esq.
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