Topline: Police believe the shooter’s anger was initially directed at his wife, but when she fled, he shifted his rage toward her daughter and her family, aiming to hurt his wife through her loved ones.
Published: December 19, 2024 12:35 pm ET
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Joshua Johns, left, and Jessica Johns.
Police have released the harrowing details of a murder-suicide that occurred in Florida.
According to a Facebook post by the Panama City Police Department, the shooting occurred on December 13, 2024.
Police say 67-year-old Newell Mock was involved in a domestic dispute in Gulf County. As a result of that dispute, he armed himself with a handgun, causing his wife, 65-year-old Rhonda Mock, to flee from the home.
Newell Mock traveled to the home of Rhonda’s daughter, Jessica Johns, in the SweetBay neighborhood of Panama City. Jessica and her husband, Joshua Johns, were inside with their two young children at the time of Mock’s arrival, police explained.
Mock forcefully entered the residence and immediately engaged Jessica and Joshua with gunfire, striking each of them several times.
The shooting was reported to 9-1-1 and officers arrived approximately 2½ minutes after being dispatched. At the time of their arrival, Mock was sitting on the front porch, still armed with a handgun. Officers attempted to de-escalate Mock, but he refused to engage in dialogue before fatally shooting himself, according to police.
Police noted Mock did not threaten the officers, and no officers discharged their weapon.
Officers were then able to enter the residence where they found 40-year-old Joshua Johns deceased, and 40-year-old Jessica Johns critically wounded.
Officers provided life-saving care for Jessica Johns while other officers cleared the residence—finding their five- and seven-year-old children asleep upstairs.
Officers and a PCPD Volunteer Chaplain remained with the children until other family members could be located and brought to the residence to care for them.
Jessica Johns was transported by EMS to a local hospital for treatment of her injuries.
During a press conference on December 16, Panama City Police Chief Mark Smith revealed that Newell Mock took his wife’s car and phone when he drove to the Johns’ home. Smith also suggested that Mock may have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the attack, which he described as a “targeted attack.”
Smith believed that Mock’s anger was initially directed at his wife, but when she fled, he shifted his rage toward her daughter, Jessica Johns, and her family, aiming to hurt his wife through her loved ones.
“His anger was really directed at his wife,” Smith said. “But when he couldn’t direct that anger toward her, he decided to hurt her family in order to hurt her.”
Smith also noted that the children were informed of the tragic events the morning of December 14.
Molly Vise, Joshua Johns’ sister-in-law, created a GoFundMe campaign to cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and other household needs as Jessica Johns recovers. The campaign has raised over $99,000, surpassing its initial goal of $8,000.
Anyone having information on this case is urged to call the Panama City Police Department at 850-872-3100, or they can report their tips anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 850-785-TIPS.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Police believe the shooter’s anger was initially directed at his wife, but when she fled, he shifted his rage toward her daughter and her family, aiming to hurt his wife through her loved ones.
By Jacob Charles
Published: December 19, 2024 12:35 pm ET
Joshua Johns, left, and Jessica Johns.
Police have released the harrowing details of a murder-suicide that occurred in Florida.
According to a Facebook post by the Panama City Police Department, the shooting occurred on December 13, 2024.
Police say 67-year-old Newell Mock was involved in a domestic dispute in Gulf County. As a result of that dispute, he armed himself with a handgun, causing his wife, 65-year-old Rhonda Mock, to flee from the home.
Newell Mock traveled to the home of Rhonda’s daughter, Jessica Johns, in the SweetBay neighborhood of Panama City. Jessica and her husband, Joshua Johns, were inside with their two young children at the time of Mock’s arrival, police explained.
Mock forcefully entered the residence and immediately engaged Jessica and Joshua with gunfire, striking each of them several times.
The shooting was reported to 9-1-1 and officers arrived approximately 2½ minutes after being dispatched. At the time of their arrival, Mock was sitting on the front porch, still armed with a handgun. Officers attempted to de-escalate Mock, but he refused to engage in dialogue before fatally shooting himself, according to police.
Police noted Mock did not threaten the officers, and no officers discharged their weapon.
Officers were then able to enter the residence where they found 40-year-old Joshua Johns deceased, and 40-year-old Jessica Johns critically wounded.
Officers provided life-saving care for Jessica Johns while other officers cleared the residence—finding their five- and seven-year-old children asleep upstairs.
Officers and a PCPD Volunteer Chaplain remained with the children until other family members could be located and brought to the residence to care for them.
Jessica Johns was transported by EMS to a local hospital for treatment of her injuries.
During a press conference on December 16, Panama City Police Chief Mark Smith revealed that Newell Mock took his wife’s car and phone when he drove to the Johns’ home. Smith also suggested that Mock may have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the attack, which he described as a “targeted attack.”
Smith believed that Mock’s anger was initially directed at his wife, but when she fled, he shifted his rage toward her daughter, Jessica Johns, and her family, aiming to hurt his wife through her loved ones.
“His anger was really directed at his wife,” Smith said. “But when he couldn’t direct that anger toward her, he decided to hurt her family in order to hurt her.”
Smith also noted that the children were informed of the tragic events the morning of December 14.
Molly Vise, Joshua Johns’ sister-in-law, created a GoFundMe campaign to cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and other household needs as Jessica Johns recovers. The campaign has raised over $99,000, surpassing its initial goal of $8,000.
Anyone having information on this case is urged to call the Panama City Police Department at 850-872-3100, or they can report their tips anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 850-785-TIPS.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Man Opens Fire on Family While Children Slept Upstairs During Panama City Shooting
Police believe the shooter’s anger was initially directed at his wife, but when she fled, he shifted his rage toward her daughter and her family, aiming to hurt his wife through her loved ones.
By Jacob Charles
Published: December 19, 2024 12:35 pm ET
Joshua Johns, left, and Jessica Johns.
Police have released the harrowing details of a murder-suicide that occurred in Florida.
According to a Facebook post by the Panama City Police Department, the shooting occurred on December 13, 2024.
Police say 67-year-old Newell Mock was involved in a domestic dispute in Gulf County. As a result of that dispute, he armed himself with a handgun, causing his wife, 65-year-old Rhonda Mock, to flee from the home.
Newell Mock traveled to the home of Rhonda’s daughter, Jessica Johns, in the SweetBay neighborhood of Panama City. Jessica and her husband, Joshua Johns, were inside with their two young children at the time of Mock’s arrival, police explained.
Mock forcefully entered the residence and immediately engaged Jessica and Joshua with gunfire, striking each of them several times.
The shooting was reported to 9-1-1 and officers arrived approximately 2½ minutes after being dispatched. At the time of their arrival, Mock was sitting on the front porch, still armed with a handgun. Officers attempted to de-escalate Mock, but he refused to engage in dialogue before fatally shooting himself, according to police.
Police noted Mock did not threaten the officers, and no officers discharged their weapon.
Officers were then able to enter the residence where they found 40-year-old Joshua Johns deceased, and 40-year-old Jessica Johns critically wounded.
Officers provided life-saving care for Jessica Johns while other officers cleared the residence—finding their five- and seven-year-old children asleep upstairs.
Officers and a PCPD Volunteer Chaplain remained with the children until other family members could be located and brought to the residence to care for them.
Jessica Johns was transported by EMS to a local hospital for treatment of her injuries.
During a press conference on December 16, Panama City Police Chief Mark Smith revealed that Newell Mock took his wife’s car and phone when he drove to the Johns’ home. Smith also suggested that Mock may have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the attack, which he described as a “targeted attack.”
Smith believed that Mock’s anger was initially directed at his wife, but when she fled, he shifted his rage toward her daughter, Jessica Johns, and her family, aiming to hurt his wife through her loved ones.
“His anger was really directed at his wife,” Smith said. “But when he couldn’t direct that anger toward her, he decided to hurt her family in order to hurt her.”
Smith also noted that the children were informed of the tragic events the morning of December 14.
Molly Vise, Joshua Johns’ sister-in-law, created a GoFundMe campaign to cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and other household needs as Jessica Johns recovers. The campaign has raised over $99,000, surpassing its initial goal of $8,000.
Anyone having information on this case is urged to call the Panama City Police Department at 850-872-3100, or they can report their tips anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 850-785-TIPS.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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