Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Tim Nelson
St. Paul

Inmate charged with second-degree murder in Stillwater officer's killing

Stillwater prison
Throughout the main hallway at the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater, there are a series of locked doors and metal detectors.
Jennifer Simonson | MPR News 2017

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Updated: 3:45 p.m. | Posted: 9:40 a.m.

Edward Muhammad Johnson.
Edward Muhammad Johnson. Johnson is accused of using a weapon to attack Officer Joseph Gomm on at the Stillwater state prison.
Minnesota Department of Corrections via AP

Edward Muhammad Johnson was formally charged Thursday with second-degree murder in connection with the death of Stillwater prison corrections officer Joseph Gomm. Johnson, 42, was also charged with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon.

Washington County Attorney Pete Orput also said Thursday he intends to take the case to a grand jury, which is required for first-degree murder charges in Minnesota.

The criminal complaint contains new details on what happened in an industrial area of Stillwater prison on July 18. Gomm was found with injuries to his head and face by responders to a call of an attack on an officer. An autopsy found he had a blunt force injury to his head and puncture wounds to his chest.

A shop foreman, a corrections employee, saw Johnson hitting Gomm in the head with a hammer. After he yelled at Johnson to stop, the inmate moved toward the foreman and swung the hammer. The employee then barricaded himself in a stairwell.

A number of inmates said Johnson told them, "You guys are fine," according to the complaint. Inmates also saw Johnson running shirtless from the machine shop. Johnson was seen opening a back door, triggering an alarm, before he surrendered to corrections officers.

Investigators found that Johnson had a hammer checked out to him. The hammer and two homemade knives were found near Gomm. Investigators say one or both of the knives were used to stab Gomm.

Johnson was serving time for a 2002 murder when Gomm was killed. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has been investigating the prison slaying.

Gomm was buried with full honors at a cemetery in Roseville last week.