TEMPLE, Texas — Editor's Note: The attached video aired on Thursday, Oct. 10.
On Wednesday, Oct. 9, Temple Police were notified of a shooting that occurred on Luna Lane around 7:20 p.m.
Police learned a dispute between David Tate, 52, and Vernon Johnson, 54, both of Temple, resulted in Johnson being shot multiple times and later dying. Since the incident occurred, Tate has been arrested and charged with murder.
However, the impact a person's death has on others isn't always evident on the surface. To the people he was close to, losing Johnson was a shock.
He worked and volunteered at a food bank in Temple, cooking and greeting people as they came by, and was someone with a big personality and heart to match.
Jeff Stegall, who went to high school with Johnson, is the Executive Director of Feed My Sheep, where Johnson worked.
"I don't see the crime," Stegall said. "I don't see what occurred. I see a big giant guy smiling coming and giving me a giant hug every time I walked in the cafe and he was bigger than me and he put his giant hands on my shoulder and we would stand there and we would laugh together."
Stegall also noted that Johnson helped at the Feed My Sheep food bank cafe only because he cared about others. The cafe also plans to celebrate the life and legacy that Vernon built through his actions.
As for the case itself, Temple Police say the incident is being reviewed by the Bell County District Attorney's Office.