Mother Fatally Shot by Man Feeling 'Disrespected' After She Ignored His Catcalls
A man is now facing the grim prospect of a life sentence after being found guilty of shooting a mother in broad daylight, all because she ignored his catcalls.
The incident occurred on July 27 of last year when 42-year-old Nikki Loffredo was walking along Euclid Avenue. James Bernard Johnson, a 43-year-old from Iowa, first laid eyes on her during this time. In court, he claimed he had initially intended to approach her but didn’t engage until he spotted her again at the intersection of East Ovid Avenue and Cambridge Street around 3:48 AM.
From his vehicle, Johnson yelled at Nikki, inviting her to “come get high” with him. Nikki, who worked as a bartender, responded with a firm “Who are you? Never mind, f–k off.” This response seemed to trigger something in Johnson, who then drove by and shouted at her from the window of his SUV, according to the Polk County Attorney's Office.
Feeling disrespected by Nikki's reaction, Johnson admitted to firing a handgun four times from his vehicle. He claimed he aimed at the ground to scare her, but tragically, Nikki was struck by several bullets.
After the shooting, Johnson sped away in his gold SUV, leaving Nikki critically injured on the ground. She was rushed to the hospital in serious condition, but despite medical efforts, she succumbed to her injuries on July 29, 2024. Johnson, however, denied any intention to kill her that fateful morning.
Following the incident, Johnson was arrested for murder on August 2, just days after the shooting. Investigators uncovered text messages between him and his girlfriend, where he mentioned having “popped” someone earlier that day.
As detectives delved deeper into the case, they found no prior connection between Nikki and Johnson, according to prosecutors. It was revealed that Johnson was under the influence of marijuana and cocaine at the time of the murder, although it remains unclear if his intoxication influenced his decision to use his firearm that morning. Johnson also has a history of drug-related offenses, as noted by prosecutors.
On April 9, a Polk County jury convicted Johnson of first-degree murder for the shooting of Nikki Loffredo. After a weeklong trial, jurors deliberated for just a few hours before reaching a guilty verdict against the 43-year-old. He is set to be sentenced on June 20 and could face life in prison.
Nikki's family described her as “very kind and compassionate,” always willing to lend a hand to those in need. She had a special love for her nephews, often taking them to movies and Chuck E. Cheese, as highlighted in her obituary.
