Tarrant County Jail Death Prompts Demands for Accountability and Reform

The family of Anthony Johnson Jr., a 31-year-old Marine veteran who died while in custody at the Tarrant County Jail, is demanding answers and accountability following his tragic death. Johnson, who suffered from schizophrenia, was arrested on Friday after allegedly brandishing a knife at a motorist. Two days later, he was transported from the jail to John Peter Smith Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. According to the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office, Johnson died from a medical emergency after being pepper sprayed during a fight with officers in his cell. The family has not received any specific information about his official cause of death or what occurred during the alleged fight. Johnson’s death marks the sixth inmate death at the jail this year, raising concerns about the treatment and care of inmates with mental health issues.

Scroll to Top