Azsia Johnson was a young New York City mother trying to balance new motherhood and her aspirations to be a health care worker. The 20-year-old had reportedly been living in a domestic violence shelter on the city’s Upper East Side.

According to an account her family has shared with local media, Johnson was being stalked by the baby’s father, who allegedly had been abusive with the new mother even while she was pregnant.

On Wednesday, June 29, 2022, Johnson was pushing her 3-month-old daughter in a stroller on a New York street. 

According to authorities, stealthily approaching her was Isaac Argro, her 22-year-old estranged boyfriend. Argo, dressed in all black and wearing a ski mask, allegedly pulled out a handgun and shot Johnson at close range in the back of the head.

Argro has been arrested and is being held behind bars. He is facing charges of second-degree murder and second-degree weapons possession.

DeCesare said even after committing the unthinkable, Argo called the victim’s family and threatened that another person they knew would be “next,” she told the judge.

“The defendant shot the mother of his child at point-blank range in the head,” the prosecutor said. The infant was unharmed and was taken to a local hospital for care, according to New York media reports.

Outside the courtroom, Johnson’s mother, Lisa DeSort, said she just wants justice.

“I thought that I could be stronger than what I was but I did have a little moment of a breakdown because it’s the first time I actually heard what really happened in chronological order,” Lisa DeSort told The New York Post. “To be honest, I wanted to jump up and scream out, ‘coward,'” she continued. “‘You’re not a man, you’re a monster.” That’s what I wanted to scream out.”

A GoFundMe set up by Johnson’s cousin says, “My family and I are absolutely devastated and confused . She leaves behind two children a 1 year old boy and the 3 month old baby girl that was with her at the time of the incident. The kids are safe and with love ones while the family make arrangements. Anything will help in this unfortunate time for our family. Also let’s help bring awareness to domestic violence so other families don’t have to suffer like my family. The proceeds will go directly to the father/ grandfather mother/ grandmother so they both can take care of there grandkids and immediate family.”

More Stories:

• What Is Domestic Violence?

• Why Black Mothers Are Dying In America