Man shot by Birmingham police was ‘kind, compassionate, witty’, partner says

Those closest to a man shot by Birmingham police earlier this week will say goodbye to him in a private service on Friday.

Daniel Allen Johnson, 43, was killed Monday in Birmingham’s Forest Park community, where he lived with Sri Koduri, his partner of 24 years.

“He was kind, compassionate, spiritual, a lover of animals and plants,” Koduri said.

The shooting happened Monday shortly after 8:30 p.m.

Senior State Agent Vu Quang said police, responding to a report of a disorderly person, encountered Johnson, who “displayed a knife.”

A South Precinct officer was dispatched a short time later to an apartment building in the neighborhood parking lot just off Clairmont Avenue.

Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond said when the officer arrived at the scene, an altercation ensued and the officer fired an undisclosed number of shots, critically injuring Johnson.

Johnson was taken to UAB Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 9:18 p.m

No officers were injured in the incident.

Witness Anna Evans told WBRC Fox 6 that she saw Johnson right before the shooting and said something was wrong with him that night.

She said someone — she assumed the police — was putting Johnson in the spotlight.

“He was leaning against the tree and saying, ‘Take the light off me.’ Please take the light off me,” she told the television station. “They were arguing back and forth and saying the same things over and over. It was just heated and intense and I was like what the hell is going on there.

Then he heard two gunshots.

The State Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation, which is standard procedure for an officer-involved shooting. Once the investigation is complete, findings will be presented to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office.

Johnson has worked continuously in a Starbucks area for the past four years and has been a freelance artist.

“He only did it when he felt inspired,” Koduri said of his partner’s art.

The couple had a 1-year-old Goldendoodle named Rio.

“He was friendly with the neighbors but mostly kept to himself and loved privacy,” Koduri said. “He listened to classical music and world music. Read a lot of books on spirituality and philosophy.”

Johnson was always willing to help others, he said, making meals for the homeless and building ant routes so people wouldn’t step on them. He even named alley cats in the neighborhood.

“He struggled with mental health issues for a long time,” Koduri said. “He has sought help for his problems and is taking medication to help him.”

Johnson loved nature and walks and wanted to respect his personal space.

“Some people saw it as weird and eccentric, but more than likely he was listening to a podcast while he was in town,” Kodur said. “He was honest and spoke his mind.”