A cop killer who fatally shot NYPD Housing officer Gerard Carter in 1998 has died behind bars while serving a max prison sentence, according to correction officials.
Depraved shooter Shatiek Johnson, 45, died on Tuesday after serving more than 25 years at Attica Correctional Facility, according to the state’s Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.
It’s unclear what he succumbed to as authorities investigate and conduct a toxicology report, according to law enforcement sources.
Johnson, then 17, shot Carter, 28, at point blank as the cop and his partner sat in a marked police van on patrol outside a Staten Island housing development on July 26, 1998.
Carter died days later, leaving behind his young son, who was only seven years old. He had served on the force for five years.
Carter’s ex-wife, Jozette Carter-Williams, told the Staten Island Advance that with Johnson’s death, she believes Carter’s legacy can endure without his son worrying about if the cop killer would be freed by the state’s parole board one day.
“He grew up to be an amazing man, but no one knew what he was dealing with internally because Gerard was his best friend,” she said of her now adult son Louis.
“I got to see him yesterday, and he just said, ‘Mom, I’m just glad that it’s over and we don’t have to keep going to try to fight to keep him behind bars.’”
Johnson also beat a homeless man to death when he was just 15 years old, and only served two years in prison. The Blood gang member was also accused of shooting a rival gang member.
The violent teen avoided the possibility of the death penalty – that was still in place statewide in the 1990s – because he was too young to be executed.
A community center in Carter’s name opened in 2011 and is located in the Stapleton neighborhood on Staten Island. The slain officer also has a street named after him.
“Gerard’s legacy will continue to shine, and it’ll be impactful within his community, family and friends. We’re always going to remain committed to his memory and his legacy, his life will continue to move forward today,” Carter-Williams told the Staten Island Advance.