SU student killed in Moore Hall

One single gunshot on one fatal night destroyed the life of one student and changed the lives of many Southern University residents.
Maximilian Johnson, a 19-year-old freshman from Breaux Bridge, was fatally shot Saturday, March 9, at approximately 1 a.m.
The Southern University police report states that Johnson, a resident of Ollie Butler Moore Hall Room 204, heard a knock on his door and as he opened it someone shot him with a nine millimeter handgun in the chest. According to the Coroner’s Report, Johnson died instantly.
Southern University Police Chief Dale Flowers said there are no suspects in this case so far.
The only witness to the crime was Johnson’s girlfriend, whose name is not being released by the police; she was in his dorm room at the time of the shooting.
The unidentified female told police that she heard a knock at the door and when Johnson opened it, she heard the words “give me your f***ing money” followed by one gunshot. The female called the police after the shooting, as well as notifying them that the shooter did not enter the room.
“As soon as I was notified of the death, I immediately called his mother to give her the horrible news,” said Robert Bennett, director of Student Life.
Bennett, Marilyn Hill, director of Residential Housing, Dr. Leon Tarver, SU Systems President, and Dr. Edward Jackson, Baton Rouge Chancellor, reported to the investigation area for a briefing upon notification by the police.
“We are currently questioning his suitemates and any other individuals in and out of Moore Hall,” said Flowers.
Marijuana was found in the room but investigators do not believe that the killing was drug related, although the cause is still under investigation.
Johnson’s roommate was at a local night club when the shooting occurred, he returned to the campus around 2:30 a.m. said Bennett. The roommate, who requested to remain unidentified, was then told the news and escorted to Bennett’s office.
Johnson was an unauthorized resident of Moore Hall Room 204 for almost three weeks. He switched dorm rooms without prior authorization from the Head of Residents of Moore Hall and Mildred Satterwhite Hall.
The reason given for the rooms being switched was that Johnson’s old roommate and the student he switched rooms with are both trying out for Spring Football and they did not want to cause any inconvienience for Johnson and his new roomate.
“From my heart my child was a loveable kid, he was not a violent kid and very sympathetic,” said a heartbroken Catherine Harris, Johnson’s mother.
Due to the ongoing investigation, the dorm room is still sealed by yellow tape and Johnson’s belongings as well as his roommates have not been moved.
Johnson’s body was released to the family Sunday, March 10.
Johnson was a Criminal Justice major whom was on an academic scholarship with the university.
SUPD are asking anyone who may know anything about the case to speak up or leave a tip, anonymously, with Crime Stoppers at 344-STOP.
Maximilian Johnson’s wake will be on Friday, March 15 from 4-10 p.m. The rosary and funeral process will be held Saturday, March 16 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Breaux Bridge at 8 a.m.
Contributing to this article was Don Williams, Digest News reporter