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Man accused in Rite Aid shooting denies involvement, expresses concern for safety of family

Posted at 3:18 PM, Apr 20, 2015
and last updated 2015-04-21 18:44:07-04

Virginia Beach, Va. - Police have arrested the man who is accused of shooting a pharmacy technician during a robbery attempt at a Virginia Beach Rite-Aid.

The man was identified as 23-year-old Dontario Andre Johnson of Norfolk. Virginia Beach Police say they received several tips which led to his identity.

Johnson was located in the 500 block of N. Military Highway where he was arrested without incident. He is being held without bond in the Virginia Beach Correctional Center on charges of Felonious Assault, two counts of Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, Attempt Robbery and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

Johnson is also facing numerous charges in an attempted robbery at the Hilton Garden Inn on Crossways Blvd. in Chesapeake on April 20, according to Chesapeake police.

Johnson is accused of shooting a pharmacy tech inside the Rite-Aid location in the 800 block of S. Military Highway at 2:24 p.m on Monday.

They say he went into pharmacy demanding prescription drugs. He reportedly pulled out a silver, semi automatic handgun and shot the pharmacy technician once before fleeing the store empty handed.

The pharmacy technician was rushed to the hospital. The woman's injuries are not life threatening police say.

NewsChannel 3 spoke to Johnson who denies he was involved in the crime. He expressed concern over the safety of his family.

"Anybody touch my family, especially my kids, it's not right," Johnson says. "There are plenty of people out there who look just like me. It could only get worse."