VOLUME 21 NUMBER 34
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NOVEMBER 21, 2015
Published Since April 1995 Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties • www.facebook.com/ocgnews
Woman killed in Wal-Mart hit-and-run purse snatching
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By Amber Pittman
arsha Penn Johnson had just retired from her job as a lab tech for CR Bard where she had worked since 1970. She had lost her husband just a few months ago, and prior to that she cared for her sick mother who also passed away. After months of hard times, she was looking forward to enjoying her retirement. But all that was taken from her Nov. 16, after a man snatched her purse, knocked her to the ground and ran over her in the parking lot of the Wal-Mart at 10300 Industrial Blvd., just off Exit 95 on I-20 in Covington. Johnson, 65, was loading groceries into the trunk of her car around 7:45 p.m. when surveillance video show a man driving a Honda Accord pull into a nearby parking space. The man can allegedly be seen watching Bouquets of flowers were placed near a tree in the Wal-Mart parking lot where Marsha Penn Johnson, 65, was killed during a purse snatching on Nov. 16. Another makeshift memorial was set up in the garden area of the store. Photos Johnson, before walking up behind by Glenn L. Morgan/OCG her as she tries to get in her car and attempting to grab her purse. Initially, out and pulled forward Johnson was or four times,” said Covington Police Johnson refused to let go of her purse. trapped underneath the car. The suspect Department Capt. Craig Treadwell. The suspect pulled her to the ground, drove over her more than once as he When police arrived, Johnson was in however, snatched the purse and then escaped, police said. critical condition. She later died at jumped into his car. “He couldn’t get the car all the Newton Medical Center. Johnson ended up behind his way out, so he ended up being on top Surveillance videos reportedly vehicle and when the suspect backed of the victim with the vehicle three show several others in the parking lot
attempting to stop the suspect from leaving, but they were unsuccessful. “Why would they take an innocent woman’s life when she hasn’t did nothing to nobody?” Johnson’s 13-yearold nephew, Joseph Thomason, said on 11Alive news. “They can’t have a conscience, a defenseless woman, you go and take her life.” Johnson’s niece, Jamie Johnson, urged the suspect to turn himself in. “If you have a heart at all, turn yourself in. face your consequence,” she told WSB-TV. “This woman right here would give you the shirt off her back.” Witnesses described the suspect as a heavyset (around 250-300 lbs.) Hispanic male in his 20s-30s with a black goatee-style beard, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and white tennis shoes. A woman was in the passenger seat of his car, according to police. Police describe the suspect’s car as a four-door late-1990s to mid-2000s Honda Accord, silver or light gray in color with damage on the driver-side door. It had either a temporary tag or an out-of-state tag. If you’ve seen the vehicle or the man in question, you’re urged to contact the Covington Police Department at 770-786-7605.
Giving Thanks
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ockdale County Public Schools marked the Thanksgiving season with performances, food drives, and of course, food. Lorraine Elementary kindergarteners held musical performance celebrating the country’s first Thanksgiving. The performance, which was held on Nov. 10 at the school’s “Night at the Museum,” showcased lessons in history, math, science, social studies and more integrated through the arts. The third grade classes of Brandy Payne and Julia Mosely at Lorraine Elementary sit down for a full Thanksgiving meal on Nov. 12.
Women entrepreneurs converge under Gold Dome to celebrate business
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By Valerie J. Morgan
here were plenty of high heels and handbags among the sea of women who flooded the Gold Dome on Nov. 19. The women shared their stories about launching their careers and companies, they networked and they fellowshipped during Women’s Entrepreneurship Day at the Georgia State Capitol. State Rep. LaDawn Jones (D-Atlanta) and Nicole Garner Scott, founder of 100 Female Entrepreneurs Inc., hosted the event, which drew women from an array of business sectors from across Georgia.
Every year, Women’s Entrepreneurship Day is held during Global Entrepreneurship Week and is designed to celebrate the work of women. Indeed the Peach State has something to celebrate. Georgia tops the nation in the growth of women-owned businesses between 1997 and 2015 (132 percent), according to the most recent American Express State of Women-Owned Business Report. Texas came in second with 116 percent and North Carolina came in third with 98 percent. Jones made it her business to meet as many of the participants as she could at the Women’s
Entrepreneurship Day, trading business cards and posing for pictures as the women sent out selfies on Instagram, Facebook and other social media. “I am so honored to have you all come down to your Georgia Capitol,” said Jones. “I want you all to understand how monumental this is: In over 144 countries around the world, there are women celebrating the gift of being a boss and a business owner. Here in the state of Georgia, if you look around at these windows, these halls, these bannisters, there was a See Entrepreneurs, page 7
Participants of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day pose in the South Wing at the Georgia State Capitol. Photo by Glenn L. Morgan/OCG News