Fund At Local Bank Accepts Donations for Family of Copley Township Shooting Victims

Carrie Silket remembers as a man who would do anything for a neighbor. At a Monday press conference that laid out the events in which Johnson and six others were shot to death by a neighbor, Silket told reporters that a bank account has been created to help Johnson's surviving family members.

All FirstMerit Bank branches will accept donations to the Michael Johnson Benevolent Fund.  Silket said the money will cover expenses determined by Russell Johnson's relatives.

Four members of the Johnson family, Russell, his wife Gudrun, son Bryan and 16-year-old granddaughter Autumn Johnson, were shot and killed by neighbor in a 10-minute shooting rampage Sunday (Aug. 7) in Copley Township.  

Silket said the Johnson family patriarch was a "proud man, a proud American," who would do little favors for neighbors without sticking around for a thank you. 

The Silkets and the Johnsons traveled together to BMX bicycle competitions across the country and raced at the Akron Derby Downs BMX Bicycle Track.

She said racers will be at the Derby Downs track at 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday as scheduled at 1000 Massillon Rd, Akron 44306. "Because he wouldn't want us to cancel," Silket said. "The racers will wear yellow ribbons."

Pastors and counselors will also attend the race, she said.