Latest news with #DamonJohnson
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Yahoo
Man who died during North Portland police welfare check identified
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A man who died after in North Portland has been identified, officials announced Friday. Damon Lamarr Johnson, 52, was the man who died while in police custody last week, the Portland Police Bureau said. The night of June 27, officers originally responded to a request for a welfare check on a man at his home in the 8500 block of North Argyle Way. 4 hit by car after 'large fight' in Northwest Portland early Friday The caller reported the man — later identified as Johnson — was allegedly 'acting in a concerning manner, flooding his apartment with water and hanging knives out of his apartment window,' police said. After arriving at the apartment, officers said they had to give Johnson CPR and requested aid from paramedics who had already been called to wait nearby. Johnson was then taken to the hospital by ambulance, where he later died. 'Could have been a lot worse': Deputies rescue 75-year-old from ravine thanks to safety bracelet According to PPB, as this was an in-custody death, homicide detectives were called to the apartment to further investigate. All three officers involved were placed on administrative leave. The circumstances leading up to Johnson's death have not been released at this time. However, PPB said they will be releasing body-worn camera footage 'within 14 days of the incident, including a summary and timeline of events.' 'We understand the public's desire for information and it is important to us that we share what we can as quickly as possible, while being mindful of the balance between transparency and the need for a complete and careful investigation,' PPB added. Anyone with further information on this incident is encouraged to contact Portland police. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Fox News
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Lynyrd Skynyrd members share late guitarist Gary Rossington's wish for the band
Before he died, Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist and founding member Gary Rossington told fellow band members Johnny Van Zant and Rickey Medlocke that he wanted the band to continue after he was gone. "He knew his health was getting bad and he had told me, he said… 'I've spent my life carrying on this legacy, and after I'm gone I don't want to see this band go away,'" Van Zant told Fox News Digital. He continued, "So we brought in Damon Johnson to play guitar and Gary kind of mentored him, you know, some and came to rehearsal and, you know, he wanted this music to go on, man. I don't think me and Rickey would be here if Gary said, 'Hey, after I'm gone I want this to go away.' So, we're carrying out his wishes as long as we can." Van Zant explained that Rossington had come off the road as his health began to decline and was just doing special performances, like his last show at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium in November 2022. Rossington died in March 2023. He said Rossington would generally "come in and play a few songs 'cause his heart was getting bad, and he knew his health was getting bad." On Friday, in honor of Rossington, the band released the record "Celebrating 50 Years — Live At The Ryman," which turned out to be his last show. "This was never supposed to be a live release," Van Zant said. "It was done for PBS. And after Gary passed, we were like, you know what? We think all the fans need to have this in their collection… and what they loved about the band. And Gary, you know, loved the fans and I know he'd probably be going, 'Hell yeah, put it out!'" Medlocke said he thought Rossington would be "very proud" of the recording. "He knew his health was getting bad, and he had told me, he said… 'I've spent my life carrying on this legacy, and after I'm gone I don't want to see this band go away.'" "It was a great night," he said. "The band was on it, and I think that he would give a thumbs up and say, 'Yeah, I love it, man. We did great out there.' It was real special for us, you know?" Van Zant said the band felt more at ease that night than a typical recording session. "It was a night where it – you know, usually when you're taping stuff, you know, you're kind of tight and everything," he explained. "And that night was just real casual. It was kind of like, 'OK, let's go play a show like any other show.' So, I mean, the difference was that it was at the – they call it the mother church of Nashville there, Ryman – and being on that stage is a pretty amazing thing in itself." Van Zant said it doesn't surprise him that Lynyrd Skynyd is still popular with younger generations because he was a fan before he joined in 1987. The band originally formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964, and included Rossington and Van Zant's brother, Ronnie Van Zant, along with Allen Collins, Larry Junstrom and Bob Burns. "I loved the music and never thought that I would be a part of it, never wished to be a part of it," he said. "I wish in 1977 that awful plane crash didn't happen, and we could all be here together." He said he was asked to join the band in 1987, "and Ronnie was the alpha dog and the father figure and to have all those guys in the room, you know, asking me to be a part [of the band], I really couldn't turn it down, and you know, warmed my heart, and it still does to the 'til today." WATCH: Lynyrd Skynyrd founding member wanted the band to continue after his death Ronnie Van Zant was killed in a plane crash in October 1977 when the band's chartered flight bound for Louisiana ran out of fuel. Five others were killed in the crash as well, including band member Steve Gaines. Rossington was injured in the crash. Van Zant and Medlocke said they want to work hard to honor Rossington and the other members who aren't around anymore. "I don't want to get off the bus of life one day and have him to whoop my a--," Medlocke joked of Rossington. "You know what, man? I'll really be honest. And I think Johnny feels the same way. I look over there and I still to this day, missing him incredibly. And Damon's doing a great job, no doubt, you know, but there's a thing that, you know, when you played with somebody that long, you know, you don't ever get over it. And his spirit is all over that stage, as is the rest of the guys that have gone on before us." He said he takes "that spirit, I put it into energy and I go out here and play for fans 8 to 80 years old, you know what I mean? So, it's all about those iconic songs that really connect with people" who want the band to "come out there and play them live." "Celebrating 50 Years – Live At The Ryman" is out now.
USA Today
03-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
USC football countdown to kickoff—Damon Johnson in focus
The countdown to USC's 2025 football season is officially on! The Trojans kick off their new campaign 59 days from today. You need something to help you while away the days and hours in the spring and summer. This is one way to do so. In this new series, countdown to kickoff, we will be counting down the days by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number. Today, we look at former USC long snapper Damon Johnson. Position: Long snapper Years played at USC: 2017-2021 Career highlights: Johnson attended junior college in 2016, but did not play football. In 2017, he transferred to USC and immediately earned the starting long snapper role, one that he would hold down for the next five seasons. In 2019, 2020, and 2020, Johnson earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors. In both 2020 and 2021, he was a finalist for the Mannelly Award, given to the top long snapper in the country. After USC: Per his LinkedIn page, Johnson currently works as a territory account manager at EquipmentShare in Boise, Idaho.
