Family, Police Seek New Leads in 2-Year-Old Homicide

Family members and Fayetteville police are seeking new information about the murder of barber Creg Keith Johnson in November 2005.

Posted 4:05 p.m. Nov 20, 2007 — Updated 11:26 p.m. Nov 20, 2007

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Relatives, friends and police officers hit the streets Tuesday as part of a renewed effort, coupled with up to a $10,000 reward, to generate new leads in the unsolved murder case of a Fayetteville barber.

Creg Keith Johnson, 35, was shot to death on Nov. 19, 2005, and his body was found the following morning inside First Line Barber Shop at 6376 Yadkin Road. Family members said Johnson likely stayed past the shop's closing time to accommodate some customers.

Relatives of Johnson and representatives with the Fayetteville Police Department passed out fliers around Line Up Barber Store on Tuesday morning. They also placed posters in windows of area businesses.

"We've got to make people understand that we care and that we want to find the person or persons that killed Creg," said Johnson's aunt, Linda Thomas.

Johnson's uncle, Vernice Thomas, said the family cannot rest until it has answers about what happened. They said they also want closure for Johnson's 12-year-old son.

"It's frustrating to know his son is still wanting to know who killed his father – knowing we are powerless to bring that person to justice," he said.

Detectives said Tuesday they know more now than they did two years ago but still don't have enough information to make an arrest. They are seeking individuals who have not come forward but have information that might lead police to a suspect.

Johnson’s vehicle, a 1998 red Isuzu Rodeo, should have been the only vehicle in the parking lot between 7 p.m. on the day of the shooting and early morning of the next day. All other businesses in the area were closed.

Anyone with information about Johnson’s activities during the two weeks leading up to his death is asked please contact Detective Chuck Dew at 910-433-1856. Police said any information is welcome, no matter how insignificant it might seem.

“It’s hard to understand why someone would take his life," Vernice Thomas said. "But it’s even harder that no one has come forward.”

“How can, two years later, someone still be walking around and pretend this did not happen when they know people are suffering?” he said.

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