William Johenkins
A city man who was accused of murder in the 1990s, and later admitted to a related robbery charge, was gunned down early Thursday morning, becoming this year's first homicide victim.
William Johenkins, 45, was found inside a silver minivan with a gunshot wound to the face. He was pronounced dead
at the scene.
Police found the van parked in the first block of Hanford Place around 12:40 a.m., after receiving a call about a gunshot victim in the vehicle.
Johenkins, who has multiple aliases, has convictions for robbery, terroristic threats and aggravated assault on law enforcement, according to court records.
He was indicted on murder charges in 1999, but they were dismissed as part of a plea bargain with prosecutors in which Johenkins admitted to robbery, according to court records. He was sentenced to almost 13 years in prison in 2001.
Victor Johenkins, one of William's relatives and a co-defendant in the case, pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter for the Sept. 20, 1998 murder and received an 18-year sentence, according to court records.
No one has been arrested in connection with William Johenkins' death at this time.
Anyone with information about the killing is asked to call the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at 609-989-6406. Or email tips to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.
This is a developing story.