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Camden County Man Sentenced to 60 Years for Shooting His Daughter, 11, in the Face

Camden New Jersey

Camden County Prosecutor Mary Eva Colalillo and Camden County Police Chief Scott Thomson announced a Sicklerville man was sentenced today to 60 years in state prison for shooting his daughter in 2013.

Byaer Johnson, 28, was convicted by a jury in June of first-degree attempted murder and several other offenses.  Superior Court Judge John T. Kelley imposed the sentenced today.

During the trial, the victim, who was 11 at the time of the shooting, faced her father in court and testified that he visited her at her mother’s home in Camden on the night of January 24, 2013.

According to the testimony, Johnson was sitting with the victim as well as her mother and stepfather in the living room when he revealed a handgun and stated, “Allah Akbar. We all must die.”  Johnson then walked toward his daughter, told her to shut up and shot her at close range in the face.

After shooting the girl, Johnson pointed the gun at the victim’s stepfather, but the gun did not fire.  The victim’s stepfather was able to disarm Johnson and the defendant fled.

The victim, now paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair as a result of the shooting, was present in court for the sentencing.

In asking the court to impose a life sentence, Assistant Prosecutor Rachael Minardi described the shooting as a “heinous, violent, awful crime.”  She noted the shooting occurred without provocation and has significantly impacted the victim.

Johnson received a 50-year sentence on the attempted murder charge and a consecutive 10-year sentence for a certain persons weapon offense. 

He will not be eligible for parole for 47 years and six months

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