Report: Chris Johnson Under Investigation in Murder-For-Hire Plot

Alleged motive for the 2016 killings was retaliation for a 2015 shooting that wounded the former NFL running back and left his friend dead

Former Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson is under investigation for his possible role in a 2016 double homicide, which authorities believe was retaliation for the murder of one of Johnson’s close friends.

He has not been charged and has denied any connection to the crime, according to TMZ, which reported the story Thursday morning.

Johnson was wounded in the shooting that left Dreekius Johnson dead in Orlando. The two were riding in a Jeep in the early morning hours of March 8, 2015 when their vehicle was fired upon. The record-setting running back, who was the passenger, was shot in the shoulder.

Two men believed to be the shooters in that attack were shot to death in separate incidents, one in January 2016 and one in July 2016. Officials say Johnson paid a man named Dominic Bolden to perform both murders.

From TMZ:

(An) informant told officials that Johnson supplied Bolden "with funds and an individual who could continually supply Dominic Bolden with as much narcotics as needed to supply the DTO [a well-known drug trafficking organization].

The informant also told officials the "murder for hire elevated Dominic Bolden's rank, reputation and power within the DTO" -- eventually making Bolden the (organization’s) de facto leader.

Documentation obtained by TMZ also suggests Johnson is involved with the day-to-day operations of DTO.

Johnson, a first-round pick (24th overall) in 2008 out of East Carolina is the franchise’s third all-time leading rusher with 7,965 yards over six seasons. He set a franchise record with 2,006 rushing yards and an NFL record with 2,509 yards from scrimmage in 2009. He topped 1,000 yards rushing in each of his seasons in Tennessee, was a three-time Pro Bowler and in 2009 was named first-team All-Pro.

He also played one year for the New York Jets (2014) and then played a season and a half with Arizona. He officially retired in 2018 but signed a one-day contract with Tennessee early in 2019 so he could retire a Titan.