‘He surely didn’t deserve to die like that.’ Man was expecting child when he was shot on porch

Four days after a 25-year-old Columbus man was shot at his Eighth Street home, his family is still struggling to accept the harsh reality of his death.

“I’ve been really withdrawn because it hasn’t set in yet,” said Trelise Glanton, Nathan Johnson’s aunt. “I’ve been doing everything, so it really won’t set in because that was my baby.”

Johnson, a father of three who was expecting a fourth child, was found suffering from a gunshot wound around 9:34 p.m. Sunday on his front porch at 2229 Eighth St. He was rushed to Midtown Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 10:01 p.m.

No one has been arrested in the shooting as of Thursday evening.

Glanton said her daughter recently gave birth to her granddaughter, but it wasn’t long before her excitement for the new edition was shattered. Someone called to tell her that Johnson was shot.

“I wouldn’t wish this on anybody,” she said. “That was my baby.”

Days after his death, Glanton still rushes to check her phone every time it rings. She can’t shake the hope that it may be Johnson calling her like he normally does.

She clings on to her precious memories of the man who she said was outgoing, stylish and passionate about his children.

“He wasn’t a bad person more than people are in general, but he did his part,” said Glanton, who called Johnson by the nickname “T-bone.” “He was a good person. He didn’t deserve to die. He surely didn’t deserve to die like that at all.”

Glanton said she doesn’t know why her nephew was killed, but there was no good reason to take his life. She said it doesn’t matter whether it was about drugs, money or criminal gangs.

“I want him to come to justice for what he’s done, because it ain’t nothing that was worth him taking T-bone’s life,” she said. “I worked from day to day, and I promise you that with the Lord’s help I would have made it right.”

Glanton said she doesn’t have hate in her heart for the person or people responsible for her nephew’s death, but she wants justice. She said her faith in God remains strong in the face of this tragedy.

She said Johnson’s death may have been a part of God’s plan.

“Maybe he had something bigger and better planned,” Glanton said. “I wanted him here, but maybe the Lord knows best. He does know best.”

This story was originally published August 24, 2017 at 6:34 PM with the headline "‘He surely didn’t deserve to die like that.’ Man was expecting child when he was shot on porch."