Slay vic’s ma: I don’t want him to get out
Rips accused stroller killer whom she treated ‘like a son’
The mother of a woman shot dead by her estranged boyfriend as she pushed their infant girl in a stroller had no time to mourn.
The outraged mom of murder victim Azsia Johnson instead waited Saturday in Manhattan Criminal Court for a look at accused killer Isaac Argro three days after police say he callously gunned her daughter down on the Upper East Side.
“I don’t want him to get out, and I’m just focused on what needs to be done,” Lisa DeSort said while waiting for Argro’s arraignment. “I’m sure the adrenaline will wear out, and I’ll be able to grieve. But right now, I’m focused.”
She was joined by two of the 20-year-old victim’s younger sisters, all devastated by the shocking execution of Azsia at the hands of a former boyfriend who had previously smacked her around in a Jan. 1 domestic violence incident, according to the NYPD.
“My sister shouldn’t have given him another chance,” said younger sibling Dakota Johnson.
DeSort said the couple’s 3-month-old daughter was now safe in an undisclosed location as she struggled to make sense of the murder.
“I welcomed you into our life,” she replied when asked if she had a message for Argro. “I treated you like a son. And this is what you did to our family.”
According to authorities, Johnson was headed to meet with Argro last Wednesday after he promised to bring along clothes for their child — but he was a no-show. As she left the Samuel Seabury Playground around 8:30 p.m., police said, the suspect appeared wearing a hoodie and shot her in the head from point-blank range.
Police later recovered video footage of Argro pacing back and forth before the shooting — and then discarding his clothing, which investigators recovered, prosecutors said. Argro, 22, was arrested Friday in Brooklyn on charges of murder and criminal possession of a weapon.
He has three prior arrests as a minor for sexual misconduct, stolen property and petty larceny, prosecutors said.
The victim’s family described Argro as a stalker who previously threatened Johnson with phone calls and text messages. Their Wednesday meeting was also intended for the young couple to discuss their relationship before the killer instead shot her dead.
“She sought help for domestic abuse,” said a second sister, Jade Johnson. “But they just didn’t care and they couldn’t help her.”
Authorities said Johnson was living at a shelter near the murder scene, and spent time in Brooklyn and Staten Island in recent years. Her relatives said she wanted to get out on her own and taste a bit of independence.
The young mom also left behind another older child from a previous relationship.
DeSort said she hadn’t returned home since getting news of the killing, and felt compelled to attend the hearing.
“I want to see him in court,” she said. “I’ve been here because I had to be here. Nobody told me to come. I just knew I had to be here.”
When Argro was led into court later on Saturday, DeSort held her daughters as the three women wept.
“I want him to go down,” DeSort said under her breath.
Argro was held without bail. His attorney asked the judge to grant him protection while he is held in jail.
“I feel wonderful,” DeSort said of the outcome of the arraignment. “He knows what he did.”