Police: Kedarie Johnson’s murder ‘not a random act'

Burlington police believe the murder of Kedarie Johnson, a well-liked 16-year-old high school junior shot to death March 2, was “not a random act,” a department spokesman said Wednesday.

“I believe it is likely that he knew his killer or killers,” said Maj. Dennis Kramer. “There are several things leading me to that conclusion, but all I can say without releasing too many details is that we believe it was not a random act.”

Burlington Police are being assisted in the investigation of Johnson's death by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, which is normal protocol when the case involves “homicides or death,” Kramer said. Two DCI agents have been in Burlington “since Day 1” and have assisted in collecting evidence and conducting interviews, Kramer said.

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“We have numerous items of evidentary value that are at the DCI lab being analyzed and we are waiting for those results,” he said.

Lt. Jeff Klein, commander of Burlington’s criminal investigation division, said last week that his team was looking at “several people” in connection with the teen’s murder.

“But as far as identifying one or more than one person, we are not there yet,” said Klein, who added that the department may have more information in “a couple weeks.”

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Johnson was a gender-fluid teen with an evolving sexuality that included interests in both men and women, according to many who knew him. Some community and family members believe Johnson may have been targeted due to his gender identity or orientation.

The Burlington Police Department reiterated this week that they don’t believe Johnson’s murder is a hate crime.

If enough evidence shows Johnson was targeted for his gender identity or orientation, the murder could also be considered a hate crime by the FBI, which defines “hate crime” as a traditional offense “with an added element of bias.”

The FBI has yet to get involved in the Johnson case directly, said Sandy Breault, the public affairs coordinator for the FBI Omaha division.

"The FBI is routinely made aware of investigations that may have a hate crime nexus," Breault said. “On this specific incident, we have reached out to the police department to offer our assistance if needed.”

In general, the FBI’s efforts on cases like this “serve as a backstop for investigations conducted by state and local authorities, which handle the vast majority of hate crime cases throughout the country,” according to the bureau’s website.

The Burlington Police department has conducted more than 50 interviews as of Wednesday, Klein said. He maintains that “there is not enough evidence to indicate” the murder was connected to gangs or drugs.

No charges have been filed and police reports haven’t been released due to the ongoing investigation, Kramer said.