‘Come Get High,’ He Yelled to a Random Woman from His SUV. When She Said No, He Shot Her Dead

An Iowa man faces life in prison after being convicted of fatally shooting a random woman who rebuffed his advances last summer, authorities said.

On Wednesday, April 9, James Bernard Johnson, 43, was found guilty of first-degree murder in connection with the killing of 42-year-old Nikki Loffredo, according to a statement from the Polk County Attorney’s Office. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 20.

During the week-long trial, Johnson testified that he saw Loffredo walking in Des Moines on July 27, 2024, and planned to approach her, which he did just before 4 a.m. that morning, prosecutors said.

From his GMC Yukon, he yelled at her to “come get high” with him, and according to him, she responded, “Who are you? Never mind, f— off,” the statement reads.

According to prosecutors, Johnson said he felt disrespected and admitted he fired a handgun four times from his SUV, claiming he fired at the ground to frighten her. He then sped away from the scene. Two days later, Loffredo died of her injuries.

Prosecutors said Johnson denied killing Loffredo, who had no previous connection to him.

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Johnson was arrested on August 2, 2024, after investigators discovered text messages between Johnson and his girlfriend admitting that he had “popped” someone recently, per the statement.

According to prosecutors, Johnson also admitted to consuming cocaine and marijuana the day of the shooting. 

Loffredo, a West Des Moines native and mother of one, was remembered in her obituary as someone who was “very kind and compassionate.”