Indianapolis man who allegedly used dating apps to target LGBTQ victims is charged in slaying of Detroit man
An Indianapolis man has been charged in the killing of a 39-year-old man in Detroit, and in a separate armed robbery in Dearborn, a nearby suburb, in September 2020.
Diabolique Paris Johnson, 34, who’s accused of fatally shooting 39-year-old Joshua J. Smelser inside his home on Sept. 5, was charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of felony firearm, according to local television station WDIV-TV.
He was also charged in the armed robbery of a 26-year-old man, which took place four days earlier at a hotel in Dearborn.
According to police, both victims were members of the LGBTQ community and the suspect used dating apps to locate them.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy was assisted in the investigation by the Fair Michigan Justice Project, an organization that helps law enforcement in investigating anti-LGBTQ crimes.
“It is troubling that the perpetrator of these vicious acts apparently used online dating apps to locate and target his victims,” the organization’s president, Alanna Maguire, said according to local news site Press and Guide.
Johnson was arrested in Indianapolis on Dec. 4 and extradited to Michigan earlier this week.
He was arraigned in the armed robbery on Wednesday, and is expected to be arraigned Thursday on the other charges.
“I’m proud to stand with Prosecutor (Kym) Worthy and the Fair Michigan Justice Project to announce these charges today,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement. “It’s my hope that this case marks the beginning of a long partnership focused on providing justice to some of our most vulnerable communities.”
