FLINT (WWJ) - Authorities in Genesee County said a dangerous suspect wanted on a 5-count felony warrant was taken into police custody on Saturday after police allege he "violently" assaulted a woman and "executed" her dog on Easter.
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson said 24-year-old suspect Daquantae Lamar Johnson — who has been on the run for more than three weeks — was recognized by a public safety officer while receiving treatment at Hurly Hospital in Flint on May 7 and transported to jail on Wednesday afternoon.
Authorities said Johnson was dropped off at the hospital to seek medical care for a gunshot wound.
"He didn't quit doing what he was doing," Swanson said of the habitual offender. "He was out on the street and he got shot."
Johnson was at large in connection to the April 17 incident where police allege he raped his girlfriend before strangling her, punching her in the face and pistol-whipping her at a Flint residence on Easter.
The woman said she was hit with so much force, her dental braces were knocked off her teeth, Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said according to mLive.
Police said Johnson then shot her dog in the back of the head as the woman tried to escape him.
The victim was able to record the alleged attack on social media and concerned citizens reached out to police.
"She documents everything that was going on using Facebook Live to make sure what was happening was being seen by people," Swanson said.
Surveillance video showed during Swanson's press conference allegedly captured the moment Johnson caught up with the victim, pulled out a gun and executed her pitbull named "Blue."
"As she's trying to get away, you'll see that the dog is a protector of the victim, is doing what they do best and you'll see that puff of smoke, and that's where the dog dies," Swanson said of the video footage.
Swanson said a bystander came over to the woman after the altercation and helped her bury the dog next to the roadway where they placed the dog's leash over the shallow grave.
A shallow grave where police say the victim and a bystander buried the dog "Blue" after Johnson allegedly shot the dog in the back of the headGenesee County Sheriff
The woman told authorities she had only been in a relationship with Johnson for about a month.
Swanson said Johnson was released from the hospital on Wednesday after four days of care and transported directly to the Genesee County Jail; guards and jail deputies were posted to his hospital room 24/7 due to his escape risk and being armed and dangerous.
"We didn't want to take any chances," Swanson said.
Johnson will receive further medical treatment for his wounds in jail and Swanson informed the public "the system worked this time, rest assumed this case is just beginning on the legal side, but he's not on the street."
Swanson vowed to seek justice for the victim as well as for the victims of other crimes.
"If you feel like you maybe don't have a voice... you can always contact us — the GHOST team, the sheriff's office, your local police — and say 'I wanna talk to somebody, I need to get my story out there.'"
Leyton said Johnson was charged with assault with intent to murder, four counts of felony firearm, first-degree criminal sexual conduct, unlawful imprisonment, first-degree killing/torturing animals, and felon in possession of a firearm.
He faces multiple life sentences if convicted.
