ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A Whitehall man who died following an early morning shooting at 5th and Hamilton Streets has been identified. Authorities are investigating the incident as a possible case of self-defense.
Tamir R. Johnson, 35, died from a gunshot wound to the torso. The shooting occurred at approximately 3:37 a.m. Sunday, after an altercation between occupants of two vehicles, according to a joint announcement from District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca.
Video surveillance from nearby locations showed an Audi containing Johnson and another individual and a Prius with one driver traveling west in the 400 block of West Hamilton Street. The Audi overtook the Prius and forced it to the curb as both vehicles crossed 5th Street.
Johnson exited his vehicle and approached the Prius driver with a metal bat similar to those used for baseball and softball training.
The man swung the bat at the Prius driver, striking the driver’s side door.
The investigation indicates the Prius driver then fired once at Johnson with a 9mm handgun, striking him. Johnson stopped striking the vehicle, moved away, and dropped the bat.
The Prius driver navigated away from the scene and drove approximately one and a half blocks before parking and calling 911. He remained at that location until police arrived and was taken into investigative detention.
Police recovered a 9mm handgun from the driver, who was legally permitted to possess the weapon.
EMS transported Johnson to Lehigh Valley Health Network at Cedar Crest Boulevard, where he was declared dead shortly after arrival.
The preliminary investigation revealed he was shot once with a 9mm handgun.
The second occupant of the Audi remained at the scene and was uninjured.
No charges have been filed against the Prius driver, and their name will not be released.
The case is being investigated by Allentown Police Detective Sergeant Damian Murray and Detective Jonathan Manning, as well as the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force, the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office, and the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office.
