Juan Zamora Sentenced To Life For Murder Of Charlotte Teen
Nearly six years after the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Alysha Johnson, the man, Juan Zamora, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. A judge handed down the decision on Friday, May 30, 2025, marking the end of a lengthy legal battle and bringing long-awaited closure to Johnson’s grieving family.
Back in June 2019, Johnson—who had just graduated from Hopewell High School and dreamed of becoming a nurse—was shot and killed during an attempted robbery on Beatties Ford Road in Charlotte. Prosecutors said Zamora, along with two others, tried to carjack the teen. When Johnson refused to comply, Zamora pulled a gun and shot her multiple times, killing her at the scene.
Earlier this week, Zamora entered a guilty plea to first-degree murder. During the sentencing hearing, the judge pointed to Zamora’s troubling conduct while behind bars, including multiple disciplinary violations and threats made to others, as key reasons for denying him any chance at parole. The judge also noted Zamora’s complete lack of remorse for taking an innocent life.
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Two other people involved in the crime have already been sentenced. Andy Garcia, who admitted to participating in the robbery plot, was given a prison term of up to 18 years. A 15-year-old accomplice also accepted responsibility and pleaded guilty to lesser charges.
