San Francisco — What started as a night of music, dancing and laughter in the heart of Sunnydale ended in heartbreak for the friends and family of 24‑year‑old Tertron “Troop” Johnson.
On Tuesday evening, Johnson was part of a spirited gathering at a block party in Visitacion Valley’s Sunnydale public housing complex. The sun had set, but the air was still warm and the mood upbeat. People filmed music, danced, and kids ran freely in the street as neighbors mingled. Friends were capturing moments, hoping to remember the joy.
At about 10:43 p.m., that joyful scene shattered. Gunfire erupted without warning. The party dissolved into chaos. Screams filled the air as people dove for cover. When officers arrived moments later, they found Johnson with multiple gunshot wounds. Paramedics worked quickly, but he died later at a nearby hospital.
Johnson’s death came on a night already darkened by another tragedy in San Francisco. Minutes earlier in the Sunset District, 22‑year‑old Samantha Emge, a recent graduate of San Francisco State, had been killed in a separate shooting. The twin losses sent shockwaves through the city, intensifying fears about rising gun violence.
Loved ones described Johnson as someone full of life. At vigils held in his honor, candlelight flickered against the evening breeze and balloons were released skyward in remembrance. They spoke of his love for music, his vibrant energy and the laughter he always brought into a room. To many who knew him, he was “Troop,” a friend and soul whose absence will be deeply felt.
Police continue to investigate the shooting. No arrests have been made. Community leaders and violence prevention groups are urging calm while pushing for answers and safety measures. In neighborhoods like Sunnydale, the grief is raw, and the call for change now louder than ever.
