Gulfport Police Identify Murder Suspect

The family of a recent murder victim says they’re hoping for not just justice, but change after Gulfport police identified a suspect this afternoon.
Eighteen-year-old Juwan Johnson is wanted for the shooting of 21-year-old Stanton Saunders of Gulfport. The shooting happened on June 8th at the corner of 34th Avenue and Ganges Street.
Police suspect Johnson shot Saunders in the chest, causing him to die later in the hospital.
Patricia Silva Mujica, the victim’s aunt, tells News 25 the fight, which escalated to a murder, wasn’t worth throwing two lives away. “Whenever you decide to commit a crime, that’s what you’re giving up. You’re giving up your child’s wedding. Stanton, his son, will no longer know his father. A baby will be born and not even get to see his dad. We want these young people to think about the consequences of your actions and is it worth it.”
Saunders’ aunt says life without him is like a gaping hole. The family tells News 25 they are hoping Saunders’ death will somehow cause others involved in crime on the street to think differently about their actions.