Family of man killed in domestic argument speaks

The family of a man stabbed to death during a fight with his ex-girlfriend is speaking out tonight.



Early this morning, Shreveport police rushed to the 2900 block of Hattie Street. Officers found 38-year-old Johnny Washington inside his ex-girlfriend's house, suffering from a stab wound. He later died at LSU-Health Sciences Center.

Washington's family says the warning signs of an unhealthy relationship were there. Tonight, they shared their story only with Nbc 6 news reporter Karen Hopkins.

“Now I lost my baby brother. That's a hurting feeling and can't nobody bring him back,” Sherry Elie says.

Her brother, 38- year-old Johnny Washington is gone, after a relationship with an ex-girlfriend turned sour. "The whole thing is that he left her." And then, a major warning sign. “You told me yesterday you were going to stab my brother. I got back and said stop telling me what you're going to do to my brother,” Brenda Austin Washington says.

Shreveport police say Washington and his ex girlfriend got into an argument inside her house, that's when she stabbed him. “I feel miserable right now, Lord forgive me in Jesus’ name."
Police interviewed the woman who stabbed Washington. Detectives released her after finding no criminal wrong doing. The district attorney will review the case and decide whether to file charges.

“I didn't know it would get serious until she took it to the next level,” Crystal Sanders says. Before that, Washington’s fiancé says the relationship involved stalking, and name calling; 74 percent of Americans know someone struggling with domestic abuse.

"Don't take nothing lightly," Elie says. Because about 4 people are killed each day by an intimate partner nationwide.

"He wasn't a bad man, we didn't get along, be we were there for each other no matter what," Washington’s daughter says. “He always put a smile on everybody's face,” Willie Washington says. But tonight, its tears.

Washington's story isn't the only domestic dispute that turned deadly this weekend. Friday an argument led to a fight in the 4000 block of Golf Links Blvd. Shreveport police say 35-year-old Jarvis Taylor died from a stab wound. Detectives interviewed the woman but filed no criminal charges.


During the holiday season, domestic violence tends to escalate. Experts say it’s a time with stress runs high in most families. If you see any warning signs, report it to police or seek counseling.