Man accused of killing Colorado Springs Walgreens employee makes 1st court appearance as GoFundMe is set up in teen victim’s honor

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - A man accused of brutally killing a teenage coworker inside a Walgreens break room made his first physical court appearance Tuesday.

Arrest papers for Joshua Johnson allege he murdered 17-year-old Riley Whitelaw while they were working at Centennial and Vindicator store on the evening of June 11, intentionally blocking surveillance cameras, throwing up a “restroom closed” sign, and taping paper over the break room window before committing the act. Riley’s body was found during business hours about an hour and half after she failed to return from a dinner break. Johnson was found by troopers the following day walking on I-25 outside Walsenburg.

During interviews with police, store managers said Riley had made multiple complaints about Johnson in the year prior to her death and at one point asked to work a different schedule so they didn’t have to work together.

Johnson made an appearance before judge via video last week after his arrest. Tuesday was the first time he is in a courtroom. The judge set a proof evident presumption hearing for Aug. 26. In the meantime, he remains in jail without bond.

Family and friends have started a GoFundMe with the intention of using the money towards a scholarship fund in her name.

According to an obituary published by our news partners, The Gazette, Riley will be laid to rest in a service Thursday morning at Woodmen Valley Church.

Copyright 2022 KKTV. All rights reserved.