A tragic road rage incident in Allentown, Pennsylvania, claimed the life of Tamir Johnson, a former basketball star from Kutztown University, early Sunday morning (July 6). The 35-year-old was fatally shot following an altercation involving two vehicles, an Audi and a Prius, at the intersection of Fifth and Hamilton streets.
According to the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office, video surveillance captured the Audi, driven by Johnson, forcing the Prius to the curb. Johnson then exited his vehicle with a bat and struck the Prius's driver-side door. In response, the Prius driver, who remained in the car, fired a single shot at Johnson. The driver, who had a legally permitted 9 mm handgun, left the scene but called 911 shortly after parking nearby.
Johnson was pronounced dead at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest at 4:51 a.m. The Lehigh County Coroner, Dan Buglio, confirmed that Johnson died from a gunshot wound to the torso. The investigation is ongoing, involving the Allentown police, the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force, and the District Attorney’s Office. No charges have been filed, and the Prius driver's identity remains undisclosed.
Johnson, a standout player for the Kutztown Bears from 2009 to 2011, was remembered by the university’s basketball team as "a stalwart leader and quiet giant." He transferred to Kutztown from Central Connecticut State and played high school basketball at Imhotep Charter in Philadelphia.