HUNTINGTON, W.Va . (WSAZ) – More than a month after the shooting in Huntington that killed Derious “DJ” Johnson and his brother, Adrian Phillips, the community is still holding their family close.
Todd Maynard, who hired DJ at St. Joe Middle School and has known him for years, said the loss has been hard to process.
“It’s a tough situation; we lost a great one,” Maynard said.
Those who knew DJ describe him as a devoted father, a coach, and a constant presence in Huntington—someone whose future was taking shape.
“He had a great vision for his life,” Maynard said. “And that’s what makes this thing extremely tough is he had a north star, knew where he wanted to go in life, knew what he wanted for his kids.”
Michael Thomas, one of the organizers of a basketball camp created in DJ’s honor, said, “A shining star and just at the start of his ascent.”
DJ’s impact went far beyond the gym at St. Joe Middle. He trained players across the tri-state, building relationships with families and pushing kids to improve on and off the court.
At the Phil Cline YMCA, DJ’s impact was seen on the hardwood where more than 70 kids signed up for a camp named in his honor.
“If you knew DJ you knew that no matter who you were as a kid, if he knew you or not, he wanted you to grow to your greatest potential,” YMCA Program Director Darian Shackelford said. “So, we’re just trying to do exactly what he would want us to do.”
For Thomas, the camp is personal—and emotional. He says DJ would have been right there with them.
“I’ve watched him grow from a young boy literally to a man that had almost a cult like following with kids and the parents of the kids that he coached, mentored and taught,” Thomas said.
The money raised through the camp will go directly to DJ’s family, but organizers said the support is about more than finances.
“I believe that the family seeing this community support will feel like we’re all family and maybe give them a couple hours of relief where they don’t have to think about the tragedy so much,” Thomas said.
He said DJ was passionate and intense but also grew into a leader who understood how to reach people.
“If every play wasn’t called exactly right, DJ would let the refs hear about it,” Thomas said, “but as he grew, he realized you get more bees with honey.”
Organizers said the camp is expected to become a tradition, turning grief into something lasting for the community.
“I don’t even think it’s a name,” Maynard said. “I think DJ left a legacy and there’s a difference between just living a life and leaving a legacy and that’s something that he’s done.”
Some families have donated directly to DJ’s family and even paid to give players a chance to attend camp for free. Coaches who knew DJ say that’s exactly how he would have wanted it.
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