Cops: Ex-Commune Member Shoots To Kill, Then Runs

 View Larger

Rebekah Johnson, accused of shooting a commune leader, was spotted on a Manhattan bank's surveillance tape on September 20, 2006.

On May 29, 2006, Jeff Gross, founder of the Ganas commune, returned to the compound in Staten Island, New York after attending the screening of a movie. As he approached the door, police say a crazed stalker by the name of Rebecca Johnson was laying in wait. They say Johnson jumped out of nearby bushes and opened fire. At least six shots were fired from a .38-caliber pistol, hitting Jeff once in the chest, once in the neck, twice in his left arm, and twice in the leg.

Jeff was rushed to St. Vincent's Hospital where he was treated for his gunshot wounds and later released.

Johnson went on the run but she wasn't done terrorizing the Ganas community. Cops claim Johnson continued to communicate with other commune members. On June 19, 2006, New York police received a call from a local Staten Island newspaper about a possible package they received from Johnson.

According to officials, the package contained multiple newspaper clippings about Ganas and Jeff Gross. There were also hand-written notes inside the envelope, which police sent to be analyzed for DNA and fingerprints. Police say items found in Rebekah Johnson's apartment during a search show how she planned to ambush Jeff. Papers seized show that Johnson knew where Jeff was going to be the night of the shooting and how she planned to escape, according to officials. Cops also say that silhouette targets were found suggesting that Johnson practiced using her illegal handgun before opening fire on May 29.

An Obesession That Knows No Bounds

Johnson's alleged obsession continued to get worse. According to officials, Johnson was spotted on a bank's surveillance camera in Midtown Manhattan on September 20, 2006. Just like a normal bank customer, Johnson walked in, waited in line and withdrew some cash.

Then, around 3:30pm, cops say Johnson used a Lower East Side pay phone to call Ganas -- the commune she'd once called home -- demanding money.

Police say Johnson -- who's alleged to have a vendetta against Jeff Gross -- told a commune member to have "$1 million of Jeffrey's money deposited into her account." New York Cops say Johnson never received the money.

Years Of Tension

 View Larger

Rebekah Johnson, who cops say shot a commun leader, posted these flyers all over Staten Island.

Police believe Johnson's anger towards the Ganas community had been simmering for many years. Rebekah Johnson joined Ganas in the 1980s just as the group established residence in Staten Island and opened up thrift shops run by members of the commune. In 1989, Johnson was kicked out of the Ganas group after other members reported having problems with her. She rejoined in 1994, but was again asked to leave in 1996.

Johnson flew under the radar until 2003. When she resurfaced, police say Johnson waged an all out campaign against Jeff Gross, printing flyers calling him a rapist and a pimp. According to officials, those allegations were unfounded.

Family Of Fugitive Sends Letter To AMW 

The family of Rebekah Johnson does not apologize for the fugitive's actions. In a statement issued to AMW, Johnson's family states, "Becky is loved dearly by her family and those who know her. We all pray she is safe and will come forward to do what is right and get help. We support her desire to expose the wrongs of the Ganas commune but do not agree with her methods."

Despite well-founded concerns that she is dangerous to society, according to family members, Rebekah Johnson was "only" after Jeff Gross: "She is not interested in hurting/shooting anyone else. Her anger is only with Jeff Gross."

The Staten Island-based Ganas commune was founded in 1979. Its ninety residents share ten homes and run numerous thrift shops in the New York area. Residents also grow their own food and share meals, cars and supplies while working at the commune's businesses.

Ganas members say the community is based on an open dialogue between residents and has four simple rules: Non-violence to people or things; no free rides; no illegality (including illegal drugs); and complaints about the community or members must be discussed in a group setting.

Police say Rebekah Johnson flaunted those rules.

Accused Shooter Picked Up In Philly

After a year of chasing down tips from across the country, New York police have caught up with ex-commune member Rebekah Johnson. Working with the New York/New Jersey U.S. Marshals fugitive task force, NYPD detectives arrested the 44-year-old fugitive on June 18, 2007 in Philadelphia.

Johnson eluded officials for months, but recently, cops say the slick wanted woman slipped up. According to cops, Johnson opened a P.O. Box in Cherry Hill, NJ and recently bought a car, using her real name. U.S. Marshals worked the computers and were able to place Johnson in Philadelphia where she was arrested.

When authorities searched the fugitive's apartment, they found an AK-47 and nearly 1000 rounds of ammo. The apartment she was renting was in Philadelphia's Center City district, and police believe Johnson first rented the apartment in 2004. 

Johnson To Be Held Until Trial

On July 7, 2007, a New York judge ordered that Rebekah Johnson be held without bail pending trial.

Despite former commune leader Jeff Gross' testimony that Johnson shot him several times with a handgun at close range, the jury found Rebekah Johnson not guilty on August 5, 2008. Johnson is once again a free woman and has been cleared of all charges