Thomas Johnson, a former Texas A&M University wide receiver, was reportedly “angry about his situation” when, police say, he randomly attacked and fatally stabbed a male jogger along White Rock Creek Trail in northeast Dallas early Monday, Fox 4 reports.
The 21-year-old reportedly used a “large, edged weapon” to kill the unidentified jogger around 8 a.m. Monday, police say.
A cyclist, identified only as Brandon, was riding the trail when he witnessed the attack, according to Fox 4.
“You could tell it was a machete, coming down on what I wasn’t sure at first, but when I got closer I could tell it was a body. And he was repeatedly hitting it in the back of the neck,” the horrified man told Fox 4.
According to police, Johnson admitted to the attack Monday and had even called police from nearby after he stabbed the man to death.
The former football player had recently been kicked out of his home, police said. He was arrested last year on charges including evading arrest, burglary of habitation and auto theft after he allegedly broke into his aunt’s house to steal money and her vehicle, according to the Washington Post.
“He was angry about his situation,” said Dallas Police Deputy Chief Rob Sherwin. “It’s very unusual. It’s quite shocking.”
Police could not find identification on the jogger, described as a white man between the ages of 25 and 30, who was rushed to the hospital but ultimately died.
“It appears Mr. Johnson picked this victim at random,” Sherwin said. “Absolutely random. He just attacked him.”
According to the Dallas Morning News, Johnson will be charged with murder.
As a freshman in 2012, Johnson helped his team snare a shocking win against Alabama but disappeared after the game, prompting a search. When he was found, it was abruptly announced that he would be leaving the university. Johnson’s disappearance has never been fully explained.