“Fatal Burglary Caper: Father and Son Sentenced to Prison for Second-Degree Murder in Springfield Shooting”

A father and son from Springfield, Missouri, will both serve time in prison for their involvement in a failed burglary that resulted in a fatal shooting in 2020. Rick Johnson Jr., 30, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, as well as other felony drug and weapons charges, and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. His father, Rick Johnson Sr., 51, entered an Alford plea to second-degree murder in the summer of 2022 and is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence.

The incident occurred when the Johnsons, along with Joshua Woods, attempted to burglarize an apartment they believed had stolen drugs and money from Rick Johnson Sr. However, they mistakenly went to the wrong apartment. The occupant of the apartment, fearing for his safety, shot and killed Woods during the attempted burglary.

During the sentencing hearing, the mother of the shooter spoke emotionally about the impact this incident had on her son and her family. She expressed her hope that Rick Johnson Jr. would use his time in prison to become a driving force against meth, which she believed had taken hold of their city.

According to court documents, Rick Johnson Sr. believed that someone had stolen cash and narcotics from his motel room, which led him to call his son and Woods for assistance. The trio then went to the Golden Pond Apartments, where the shooting took place.

The occupants of the apartment reported that they were watching a movie when the Johnsons and Woods knocked on their door. After initially telling the men that they had the wrong apartment, the occupants heard a louder knock and saw the men attempting to force their way in. One of the occupants, fearing for their safety, fired two rounds at the intruders, causing them to flee.

The Johnsons left the injured Woods behind and fled in his truck. Woods later died from his gunshot wounds.

At the sentencing hearing, Woods’ brother expressed his dissatisfaction with the 15-year sentence given to Rick Johnson Jr., stating that it was not enough to compensate for the lasting impact on his family.

The incident serves as a tragic reminder of the consequences that can arise from criminal activities and the importance of seeking legal means to resolve disputes..