What we know so far about Scott Deem murder suspect Emond Johnson

Ingram Square Shopping Center fire occurred in May

SAN ANTONIO – Emond Javor Johnson, 39, was arrested Wednesday in relation to the May fire at Ingram Square Shopping Center that resulted in San Antonio firefighter Scott Deem’s death.

Johnson has been charged with five felonies related to the fire, and also has one felony charge for assault for choking/strangling a family member, in an unrelated incident.

RELATED: Arrest made in death of firefighter Scott Deem

At the time of his arrest Wednesday, he was out on bond for a misdemeanor theft of service charge stemming from a November 2016 incident.

Coincidentally, his arraignment for that charge was set for Wednesday.

Johnson co-owned the “Spartan Box” gym at Ingram Square Shopping Center, which opened Feb. 12, according to the Spartan Box Facebook page. 

READ MORE: SAFD employees to tour charred building where firefighter died, 2 others injured

The fire occurred May 18, just three months after Johnson opened the gym.

According to Johnson's Facebook page, he had been recently working as a personal trainer at Life Time Fitness at the Rim and was seen working there as recently as Tuesday.

He posts frequently on his Facebook and Instagram accounts and also has a personal training website.

A GoFundMe page was set up by Johnson less than 14 hours after the fire was reported.

To date, the GoFundMe campaign titled “The Spartan Box Recovery Fund” has raised $2,430.

READ: Ingram Square Shopping Center fire facts

Johnson was arrested by San Antonio police at 5:20 a.m. on Wednesday at his apartment in the Haven at Blanco Apartment Complex, on the city's north side.

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About the Authors

RJ Marquez is the traffic anchor/reporter for KSAT’s Good Morning San Antonio. He also fills in as a news anchor and has covered stories from breaking news and Fiesta to Spurs championships and high school sports. RJ started at KSAT in 2010. He is proud to serve our viewers and be a part of the culture and community that makes San Antonio great.

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