March 28, 2012 - Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in the fatal shooting of a man at 1400 Tarberry about 7:15 p.m. on Sunday (March 25).

The suspect, Joseph Earl Francis (b/m, DOB: 7-9-58) is charged with murder in the 338th State District Court.  He is accused in the death of Joshua Johnson, 24, of Houston, who suffered a gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced dead at the scene.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeants J. Wilson, B. Williams and Senior Police Officers R. Moreno and M. Khan reported:

HPD patrol officers responded to a shooting call at the above address and discovered Mr. Johnson's body in the street.  Witnesses told investigators Johnson was walking on Tarberry when a black Ford F-150 pickup truck pulled along side and someone inside the truck shot him. 

Francis turned himself in to officers at the HPD North Patrol Station on Monday (Mar. 26).  At the time, Francis told investigators he and Johnson had been involved in an eight month long dispute and he claimed self defense in the incident. 

Further investigation led to a murder charge being filed against Francis and he was taken into custody today (Mar. 30) without incident.