Boston Red Sox pitcher Brian Johnson, who made his Major League Baseball debut in July, was the victim of a carjacking in Florida on Friday.
According to a report from Florida Today, the Cocoa Beach Police Department said Johnson was not hurt in the incident, which took place around 2 a.m. at a convenience store where he was with friends. Per the report, “Johnson was approached by the carjacker, who then fired a round at the ground while Johnson was still in the car.”
Members of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office then found and arrested Johnathan Oshaun Gould, 31, “after a short foot pursuit,” per the report. Gould has been charged with “carjacking, aggravated assault, persons engaged in a criminal offense having weapons, possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and violation of felony probation.”
After spending two full seasons in the minors, Johnson made his first MLB start with the Red Sox on July 21 against the Houston Astros. He was sent down to Triple-A after the game, ending the season on the minor league disabled list with elbow tightness.
Johnson played college baseball at the University of Florida from 2010-12, reaching the College World Series championship series in 2011. The Red Sox drafted the left-hander with the 31st pick in 2012.
The good news is Johnson came out of the incident unharmed. He should enter spring training in the mix for a spot in Boston’s starting rotation, assuming his elbow problems subside in the offseason.
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