De’Andre Johnson dismissed after video shows him punching woman
Florida State dismissed quarterback De’Andre Johnson hours after a video was released that showed him punching a woman at a bar, the school announced on Monday.
The Tallahassee State Attorney’s Office released surveillance video on Monday showing Johnson punching the woman in the face, according to the Tallahassee Democrat. That video, which contains violent content, can be seen above.
Florida State officials did not see video of Johnson punching the woman until it was published by the Democrat on Monday, reports ESPN’s Mark Schlabach. FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher did not see the video until Monday night because he was traveling in West Virginia.
Last week, Johnson was charged with misdemeanor battery stemming from the June incident, just days after Florida State suspended him for a violation of athletic department policy. He turned himself in and was released on a $500 bond, according to ESPN.
The decision to charge Johnson came after the state attorney’s office in Tallahassee, Fla., reviewed the security camera footage that captured the incident inside the bar.
State attorney Willie Meggs, who will prosecute the case, told ESPN that Johnson was involved in a confrontation with the woman after she cut in front of him while they were waiting to order drinks at a bar near campus. Witnesses told police the woman raised her arms and Johnson then grabbed her and punched her in the face. Meggs met with the woman last week and told ESPN she still has a black eye.
Johnson was a four-star recruit who enrolled early at Florida State in January. A true freshman, he was expected to compete for the backup quarterback position.
- Molly Geary and Mike Fiammetta
