Dubuque Murder Trial Sees Chicago Man Convicted- 3 More Charged

According to local officials, a Dubuque County jury deliberated for just over an hour on December 5th and convicted a Chicago-man of first-degree murder for a fatal February shooting in Dubuque.

Dubuque Police initially arrested 25-year-old Aaron C. Johnson of Chicago and charged him with First Degree Murder in connection to the fatal shooting. The Victim was 31-year-old Lonnie Burns of Dubuque.

The incident occurred on February 7th, 2023, when police responded to the 700 block of Rhomberg Avenue following reports of shots fired. Upon arrival, they discovered Lonnie Burns suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite prompt medical attention, Burns passed due to his injuries. Investigations by law enforcement revealed that a disturbance involving multiple individuals escalated when a firearm was introduced, leading to the fatal shooting. Participants reportedly fled the scene on foot in various directions.

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Eye-witness testimony in court shows the case extends beyond Johnson. Authorities have also charged three additional individuals in connection to the robbery and murder of Lonnie Burns. 30-year-old Jermaine D. Bolds of Dubuque, 16-year-old Tiarha D. Godwin of Maquoketa, and 18-year-old Laniga G. Hannon of Dubuque, all face charges of 1st Degree Murder and 1st Degree Robbery. Murder in the first degree is a class “A” felony punishable by life in prison. Robbery in the first degree is a class “B” felony punishable by no more than 50 years in prison.

The trial against Johnson, which spanned four days and involved over a dozen witnesses, concluded with a swift verdict. The jury deliberated for approximately 75 minutes before finding Johnson guilty on both counts of first-degree murder and first-degree robbery. Despite the conviction, the investigation remains ongoing, with authorities suggesting that additional charges may still be pending as they continue to unravel the intricacies of this case. The city awaits further developments in the pursuit of justice for Lonnie Burns.