REIDSVILLE, NC -- Police in Reidsville confirm that Garcia Johnson turned himself in to authorities on Friday night after allegedly shooting his father at their family funeral home earlier that day.
Garcia Johnson is being held in the Rockingham County Jail under a $1 million secured bond, according to police. He has a court date set for August 12, but police say he could appear before a judge on Monday afternoon.
76-year-old James Johnson is resting in the intensive care unit at Moses Cone Hospital, according to Major Ronnie Ellison with the Reidsville Police Department.
The extent of his injuries is unknown at the time of this report.
According to Rockingham County 911, a call came in around 9:20 a.m. Friday that someone had been shot at Johnson & Son Funeral Home.
Police confirmed on the scene to WFMY News 2 that the owner, James Johnson, was shot by his son at the funeral home. The son, Garcia Johnson, has not been arrested. Officers are still looking for Garcia as of 1 p.m. Friday.
Police are not saying how many times Garcia shot his father or where.
There were funerals scheduled for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday, police said. One gathering was postponed and the other was held in Greensboro. Some folks still showed up for the funeral at 11 a.m., but left shortly after seeing the crime scene tape around the funeral home.
The funeral home said funerals will continue as planned over the weekend.
Neighbors said they were shocked by the news. They said the Johnsons' are a great family and asked that the community pray for the family. Residents nearby said the funeral home has been in the neighborhood for decades.
A small group gathered for a vigil on Friday night to honor the victim and pray for the entire Johnson family, including Garcia.
"In the name of Jesus," they sang in front of the funeral home on Holderby Street. "In the name of Jesus."
It was a small crowd in numbers but they were large in spirit.
"We may not have a lot of people out here but even the word says that it doesn't take 1,000," said Portia Best. "We know that if one can chase 1,000, what two could do. Amen!"
"Oh God we come to stand in the gap to see you for Johnson and Son ministry, God," said Pastor Ervin Best. "You know all about it."
The Johnson family has spent decades helping families when they lose a loved one.
Now, Pastor Michael Galloway says this community is standing together to help the Johnsons' in their time of need.
"I had a death in my family not too long ago and I got a texts from them constantly asking are you OK? Are you all right? And those kinds of things," said Galloway. "So, I think they are more than just directors they are people who really and truly love the people in the community."
While police continue their investigation, community members say they'll continue to stand together and pray.
The Rockingham County Sheriff's Office is working with local police as the investigation continues.
Check back for more details.
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