A man who spent his life preaching about the promise of Heaven was taken out of this world in a dispute over material possessions.
The sad twist — one of the items he was reportedly shot over wasn't even valuable.
Kenneth Johnson, 67, of Power of Faith Deliverance Ministries in Miami, was shot Thursday by a pair of young men who wanted the $60 he'd just taken out of an ATM and the gold chain Johnson wore around his neck, WFOR-TV reported.
Kenneth Johnson. (Image source: screengrab via WFOR-TV)
"He was shot over a chain — that wasn't real," minister George Ellis lamented.
"He was a very faithful man who worked diligently to help others," Ellis said. "That's why it's so sad."
Johnson's wife, Latoya, was among those who expressed anguish at Johnson's passing, saying, "He was my world. He was a good pastor, a kind, good-hearted man. Why would they do that? Why would they take his life?"
"[Johnson] is a type of martyr," one local man said. "So I think that this death will shake up this area... and I believe that the people will come together — justice will be done."
The wheels of justice appear to already be in motion: Larry Flowers, 20, and Tyreke Desire, 19, were arrested and charged in connection with the shooting early Friday.
Tyreke Desire. (Image source: screengrab via WFOR-TV)
Desire was reportedly the man who pulled the trigger.
Larry Flowers. (Image source: screengrab via WFOR-TV)
“[Desire and Flowers] attempted to rob [Johnson] at gunpoint," said Miami Police Chief Manuel Orosa. "The pastor, who also happens to be a park ranger for the City of Miami fought them off, fought for his life to the point where he took one of the suspects to the ground and at that point he was shot and killed.”
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