NJ man sentenced to life in prison for 2020 murder of Atlantic City teen

Officials say Lewis Johnston murdered the juvenile with the initials C.W. on the 2000 block of Blaine Avenue.

Lanette Espy

Feb 8, 2024, 12:05 PM

Updated 309 days ago

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A man from Pleasantville has been sentenced to life in prison for killing a 17-year-old in Atlantic City in 2020, Atlantic County prosecutors announced.
Officials say Lewis Johnston, 35, murdered the juvenile with the initials C.W. on the 2000 block of Blaine Avenue. They say Johnston knew the victim who is said to be his girlfriend's daughter's boyfriend.
During the sentencing, officials say Johnson’s lengthy criminal history was noted in court, particularly his several prior handgun-related offenses. The court granted the state’s motion for an extended term of imprisonment based on that history.
According to prosecutors, Johnson drove down to Atlantic City from Easton, Pennsylvania, on June 8, 2020, to help his then-girlfriend Shaquana Lewis confront the parents of her daughter’s boyfriend after a physical fight between the kids the night before.
When they arrived at the boy’s house in the early afternoon, prosecutors say Johnston, armed with a handgun, ran upstairs at 2009 Blaine Avenue to the second-floor apartment porch, where the victim, C.W., and his foster brother were hanging out. Officials say Johnston then pistol-whipped the victim and shot him in the back and foot. They say Johnston then fled back down the steps, shooting back up at the boys from the ground level.
Johnston fled Atlantic City by car, stopping at a liquor store in Pleasantville, before driving back to the apartment he was staying at in Easton, according to officials. He was arrested the next morning.
C.W. was pronounced dead later that day as a result of the injuries from the shooting.