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Bruce Johnson, Jr. died from injuries sustained from a stabbing on July 10. His mother, Mary Johnson is facing murder charges. Courtesy photo
A former Kingston resident is facing murder charges in New Mexico. The Lea County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a home on Dal Paso at approximately 1:00 a.m. on July 10 in reference to a stabbing.
Bruce Johnson, Sr. said he was sleeping in his bedroom when he heard his 11-year old son, Bruce Johnson, Jr. screaming. Bruce, Sr. said he found his son in his bedroom with multiple stabbed wounds. When he went to grab his phone and call 911, he found his wife, Mary also stabbed but unconscious.
Hobbs-Fire EMS rushed both stabbing victims to Covenant Hobbs Hospital. Bruce, Jr., lovingly called “Little Bruce” by his friends and family, was conscious when he arrived at the hospital. That is when he told law officials that his own mother, Mary, was the one who stabbed him. Unfortunately, Little Bruce succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
Police investigators found out that Bruce, Sr. recently moved from Kingston, Okla. to Hobbs, N.M. with Little Bruce after allegations that Mary had been abusing Little Bruce. The father said his intent was to file for divorce because Mary was often violent with him, and the abuse allegations of their son was the last straw.
Bruce, Sr. said Mary had not seen Little Bruce for over 40 days and was begging to be able to see him. He said he allowed Mary to visit Little Bruce to spend time with before the divorce was filed. He also told investigators that Mary had sweet talked her way into moving in with him and his son.
No reports of abuse or neglect had been filed since the family lived in New Mexico. However, reports show that at least two incidents occurred and were filed in Oklahoma.
Mary is currently in the hospital in critical condition.
The community is holding an event to honor Little Bruce's life. The event will be a balloon/paper send off on July 15, 2022.
It will be at Sanders Island View, and everybody is encouraged to bring a red or blue balloon, or a paper boat. There will also be a prayer vigil.