Juan Zamora, now 23 years old, entered his plea on Tuesday. Alysha Johnson was 17 years old when she was killed.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — WCNC Charlotte has chosen to use this mugshot because of the nature of the crime.
It’s been almost six years since 17-year-old Alysha Johnson was shot and killed in what the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said at the time had started as a robbery. Three people, all teenagers at the time, were arrested: 17-year-old Juan Zamora, 16-year-old Andy Garcia, and a 15-year-old girl who still remains unidentified. All three were charged with first-degree murder, attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, and conspiracy to commit robbery.
On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, one of the suspects pleaded guilty to Johnson’s murder.
Court records show Zamora, now 23 years old, entered a guilty plea. That plea was accepted by the judge. Zamora now awaits sentencing. The maximum sentence he could face is life in prison without parole.
Johnson was found shot to death near the intersection of Beatties Ford Road and Lasalle Street on June 17, 2019, around 3 p.m. Medic had pronounced her dead at the scene.
Deante Walker, who was Johnson’s girlfriend, lamented her death in an interview with WCNC Charlotte.
“You killed my girlfriend. You killed someone that was my other half,” he said.
Walker said Johnson wanted to be a nurse or lawyer, and they were supposed to move into their own apartment as well.
Walker’s grandmother, Evelyn Poe, shared her own heartbreak as well.
“[Johnson] got shot eight times,” Poe said. “They told her, asked her to give it up or something. They said she wouldn’t give it up, and next thing they start shooting.”
“She wasn’t nothing but 17,” Poe added.
CMPD said the community’s help led them to the arrest of Zamora, Garcia, and the unidentified teen. The trio were found nearby and immediately taken into custody.
“The community stepped up in a big way and provided us with very good descriptions,” said Major Dave Robinson at the time.
Court records show the case against Garcia was dismissed in 2020.
Note: WCNC instituted a policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.
WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.
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