Dallas man killed breaking up apartment fight faces murder charge

Dallas police say a 28-year-old man died after stepping in to break up a fight at an apartment complex in Oak Cliff. Samarius Johnson was shot multiple times on Friday, October 30, at approximately 9 p.m. at The Anderson Apartments in the 3700 block of South Tyler Street. Responding officers from Dallas Fire-Rescue found his body near the stair railing.

An arrest affidavit details that Johnson intervened after Isaiah Brazil, 23, began assaulting his girlfriend, Jayna Wesley. The document states that Wesley initially turned Johnson away. He returned when Brazil stepped outside with a handgun and fired at him. Johnson jumped over the stair railing and crawled to where officers later discovered him. He died from the multiple gunshot wounds.

Investigators located Brazil using a phone number from Wesley and an anonymous caller who provided the names of his family members. Brazil was arrested on Monday, November 3, and charged with murder. He is currently held in the Dallas County Jail on a $350,000 bond.

Johnson’s family says he leaves behind three daughters. They note that he did not know Wesley before the incident. Justice Johnson, his sister, says her brother could not ignore a woman in need when no one else was helping. "He was so selfless, and I 100% believe he saved that lady's life because, like she said, if he would do that to a stranger, he absolutely would have done it to her," she said.

Lakita Johnson, the victim's mother, said she is not beyond forgiving Brazil. She stated that forgiveness cannot fill the void left in their home. "I do hope this brings awareness to domestic violence because there are some good people out there that's willing to give their lives," she said.

The family is currently raising money to cover funeral costs. Brazil remains in custody awaiting his next court date.