Assassination of Richard Johnson

Richard Johnson, the 31st prime minister of Jonathia, was assassinated on Saturday, July 10th, 2004, at 1:44pm JST, while speaking at a political event in Banner City, Miller. While delivering a campaign speech outside Banner City Hall, he was shot in the head with an M1911 pistol. Johnson was transported via ambulance to NHS Banner Central Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Deputy prime minister John Harvall, who was still in Jetzeburg at the time, automatically became prime minister upon Johnson's death.
The suspect, 39-year-old Herward McQuarter, was arrested at the scene. McQuarter was an avid Jonathian nationalist and a supporter of the Federation of Free Fascists, a far-right political party. He had been outraged at Jonathia's "constant attraction to Canadia", and thought that Johnson was "trying to sell the country off". At 10:56am the next day, July 11th, 2004, as live television cameras were covering his transfer from the Jonathian Police outpost in central Banner City to lodgings at Hastener Prison in Jetzeburg, McQuarter was fatally shot at the doors of the building by bus driver Goddard Stout. Like Johnson, McQuarter was also taken to NHS Banner Central Hospital, where he soon died. Stout was convicted of McQuarter's murder, though it was later overturned in 2006. Stout received a formal pardon from prime minister Caron Bush in 2010. 
Leaders from many countries expressed shock and dismay at his death. His assassination was the second since Bob Hunter was killed during the September 1 bombings in 1951. Richard Johnson is also third and most recent prime minister to die in office.
== Timeline ==
=== Background ===
=== Assassination ===
Johnson took to the stand on a stage outside Banner City Hall at around 1:36pm. During his speech, he spoke heavily about Jonathian progress. The final lines heard of the speech, said at 1:44pm JST, read;"I am honestly thankful that despite all the shortcomings, we have been able to stand for over eighty years, as brothers and sisters. I am so proud of-"At this moment, McQuarter pulled his M1911 pistol from his jacket, pointed it at the stage, and fired. The bullet hit the stand, and the ensuing bang caused confusion and murmur among the audience and many people on the stage. Two of Johnson's bodyguards, Nelson Crow and Albert Stanaway, began to run towards Johnson, while Banner City mayor Jack Goldberg began motioning towards the stairs. Johnson, slightly startled by the bang, turned to his wife and said;"What was that?"McQuarter subsequently stood up and fired again, striking Johnson in the head. Several people on the stage as well as Stanaway jumped to assist Johnson as he collapsed onto the stage floor. Several audience members, including a 24-year-old Norman Peale, tackled McQuarter and were soon assisted by Nelson Crow. Johnson was quickly carried to an on-site ambulance, while security officials vacated the premises. All major networks aired coverage of the event, with NBC presenter Hans Watson being the first to comment on the situation:"Ladies and gentlemen, it appears an attempt on the prime minister's life has been made. It's too hard to tell what's going on due to the commotion, but... we still can tell something has gone down. This... (Watson paused for a moment to breathe.) This is a... very dark moment... in Jonathia's history."
JBC ceased broadcasting on all radio and television channels with the exception of JBC Kids and solely broadcast coverage of the event. TV7 ditched a screening of their late night movie, Silencing of the Voices - ironically, the movie was about the assassination of a major political leader, in favour of rolling news coverage.
Johnson arrived at NHS Banner Central Hospital around ten minutes later. Despite doctors' efforts, Johnson was pronounced dead at 2:14pm JST. He was sixty-two years old. Harold Falmow, a doctor at the hospital who later announced the death of Johnson to an awaiting press outside the building, stated that Johnson's brain had been damaged by the gunshot.
=== Aftermath ===
At 6:03pm, Johnson's remains had been returned to Jetzeburg. John Harvall, deputy prime minister, was speaking to the parliament at the time of the assassination, when his secretary, Blossom Burdell, rushed to him, yelling at him to stop speaking. Harvall stepped down from the stand as a commotion arose amongst the members of parliament. Burdell said to Harvall "Sir, Mr. Johnson is dead. You're needed at Dybridge Street immediately". Harvall reportedly said "What the fuck!?" before following Burdell out the debating chamber. Speaker of the house Vivian Gall, was then told by a police officer who had entered through a side door. Gall subsequently stood up and said:"Members of the house, the prime minister has been assassinated. Parliament is suspended until tomorrow."As Gall got up from her seat and made her way to the side door, parliament entered a commotion.
All government proceedings and political events over the next two weeks were cancelled subsequently after the news was first announced. The Liberals would end up winning a large majority in the election the following year, with some speculating the assassination may have affected the Liberal result.
Category:Events
Category:History of Jonathia
Category:Jonathia
Category:Richard Johnson
Category:Assassination of Richard Johnson
Category:Assassinations
Category:2004
Category:Banner City
Category:Miller