ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Calvin Johnson, whose brush with death led to the suspension of Orange County's criminal GPS program, spoke to Eyewitness News on Tuesday two weeks after getting out of the hospital.
Apopka police said Wilfred Gregory, accused of shooting Johnson, cut off his GPS monitor and tossed it.
An investigation showed the GPS company failed to alert authorities for 12 hours.
The place where a bullet passed through Johnson's forehead is clearly visible. He said he still suffers from shooting pain.
"I'm doing OK. I'm blessed. I'm blessed," Johnson said.
Johnson said he wouldn't be alive if he hadn't seen Wilfred Gregory coming at him with an assault rifle Easter night at a party where children were present.
"Now it's time to move, now trouble's coming," Johnson said of Gregory's approach.
Johnson said he didn't remember what happened until he got home from the hospital.
"I remember going down to the ground," Johnson said.
Apopka police are accusing Court Programs, Inc., of withholding the location of the GPS device for 12 hours, leading Chief Judge Belvin Perry to suspect the company's services.
"They could have checked the area, checked the ground, everything, for any other type of evidence they may have dropped," Johnson said.
Apopka police strongly considered arresting Court Programs' manager Marcelo Aponte. Although police said Aponte's handling of the situation prolonged the apprehension of a shooter on the loose and put people at risk, it would be difficult to prove he had criminal intent.
Gregory is charged with attempted murder.
Johnson believes the motive was retaliation against him for shooting Gregory after prosecutors decided Johnson was just defending himself.
WFTV
