Crime
Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Searching for Escaped Inmate Justin Scott Woodruff Who Walked Away from Work Detail
SPALDING COUNTY, Ga. — The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office is searching for an escaped inmate who walked away from a work detail on Wednesday afternoon.
According to Sheriff Darrell Dix, the incident occurred around 3:15 p.m., when 39-year-old Justin Scott Woodruff — an inmate worker — left his assigned work area and failed to return.
Woodruff is described as a white male with multiple tattoos, including a large tattoo on his neck reading “Joker.” He was in custody for Violation of Probation at the time of his escape.
Sheriff Dix stated that investigators believe Woodruff was picked up by another individual shortly after leaving the work site. “At this time we are still gathering information, but we believe that he was picked up by another party after he left,” the sheriff said.
He went on to note the rarity of such incidents in the county: “This is the first time in over 15 years that this has happened to us. When he is caught, it will be a memorable experience for him, whoever picked him up, and whoever he is with. I hope his time on the run will be worth it for him and them.”
Authorities are urging anyone who sees Justin Scott Woodruff or has information regarding his whereabouts to call 911 immediately.
The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate and is coordinating with surrounding law enforcement agencies to locate and apprehend the escapee.
Crime
Angela Johnson and Her Son DeAngelo Johnson Killed After Shooting Inside Home in Chicago, Mother’s Boyfriend in Custody
CHICAGO — A 47-year-old mother and her 27-year-old son were fatally shot inside a residence in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood on the West Side late Thursday night, September 24, 2026, according to Chicago police.
The victims were identified as Angela Johnson, 47, and DeAngelo Johnson, 27. Police said a suspect, identified as Angela Johnson’s boyfriend, was taken into custody following the shooting.
The deadly shooting happened in the 800 block of North Parkside Avenue at approximately 10:43 p.m. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots coming from the basement of the residence and called 911.
When Chicago police officers arrived, they found the two victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
Angela Johnson was found in the basement with a gunshot wound to her chest. Police-radio traffic indicated she had been shot on the right side of her chest.
DeAngelo Johnson was found on the first floor with multiple gunshot wounds. Radio traffic indicated that he had suffered two gunshot wounds to his back.
Both victims were initially unresponsive and in critical condition. Emergency personnel performed CPR on DeAngelo Johnson before both victims were transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
According to police-radio traffic, one victim was pronounced dead at approximately 11:18 p.m., while the male victim was pronounced dead around 11:21 p.m.
Investigators found extensive evidence inside the residence, including approximately 23 shell casings in a basement bedroom. Additional shell casings were reportedly recovered in other areas of the basement, including the stairway, main room and bedroom.
Officers initially recovered a firearm and shell casings from the basement bedroom. Police later located a second firearm inside the home, bringing the total number of recovered firearms to two.
Authorities have not publicly stated who owned the firearms or confirmed which weapon, if either, was used in the fatal shooting.
Police also reported that DeAngelo Johnson was wearing an empty holster when officers found him on the first floor. That discovery prompted an officer-safety alert as officers searched the residence for the missing firearm.
Chicago police said the shooting appeared to be domestic-related and identified the alleged offender as the mother’s boyfriend.
Radio traffic indicated that a person had been detained by approximately 11:26 p.m. The official police report later confirmed that the known offender was taken into custody.
Two witnesses were reportedly available to identify the alleged offender, and officers conducted a show-up identification procedure near the scene.
Police have not released additional information about potential charges against the suspect.
The investigation into the Chicago Austin neighborhood double shooting remains ongoing. Detectives are continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the shooting, the relationship between the people involved and the role of the two recovered firearms.
The deaths of Angela Johnson and DeAngelo Johnson are being investigated as a double homicide.