A woman allegedly shot by her husband minutes after police left their Aurora home on Sunday was pronounced brain dead on Monday.
Two years ago, Eddie M. Johnson, 45, was arrested on domestic-violence charges involving his wife, Lorraine Johnson, 48. In that case, he was ordered to get rid of his gun.
Now he is being held on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder – a charge that could soon be elevated.
At 6:20 p.m. Sunday, Lorraine Johnson called police to report she was fighting with her husband at their home at 1585 S. Ironton St. in a dispute over electronic equipment, police said.
She apparently told dispatchers there was a gun in the house but it wasn’t involved in the disagreement, nor were alcohol or drugs a factor.
Officers spent about 30 to 40 minutes with the couple before leaving without making an arrest, said Aurora police spokesman Officer Marcus Dudley.
“Call notes indicate that the officers had spoken to both of the parties, and both parties agreed they could resolve the differences,” he said.
Colorado law says police are required to make an arrest in a domestic dispute if there is evidence of criminal activity or violence. In this case, Dudley said, there was no evidence of a crime.
At 7:22 p.m., police said, Eddie Johnson got a handgun from the house and shot his wife in the front yard.
The couple’s two adult daughters and two granddaughters lived with them but were unhurt, police said.
Neighbors said the husband was retired from the military and worked security at Buckley Air Force Base. The victim worked at an automobile dealership.
Eddie Johnson is being held without bail at the city detention center and eventually will be transferred to the county jail.
Aurora police confirmed that Eddie Johnson was involved in a previous domestic violence case on Sept. 8, 2003.
Domestic violence charges in that case were dropped, and Eddie Johnson pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of trespassing and served a one-year probation. He was also ordered to get rid of his firearm.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Staff writer Jeremy Meyer can be reached at 303-820-1175 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com.
