Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson, a 35-year-old Black man, was being transported by a deputy constable from the city to the county jail in Tampa, Florida, in the early morning of January 30, 1934. According to the Atlanta Daily World, he was taken from the officer by parties who were not identified and was shot four times, and his body was later found in the Hillsborough River near Sligh Avenue. Officials questioned whether the deputy constable had legal authority to hold him, and the governor demanded an investigation.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A deputy constable was transporting Robert Johnson from the city to the county jail in Tampa when he was taken from the officer and shot four times by parties unknown.
Reported by: deputy constable. The only account of how this person died comes from the agency that held him.