‘He didn’t have a full life,’ Community, family mourns loss of 4-year-old boy

SCOTLAND COUNTY, NC (WPDE) — A family and community is mourning the loss of four-year-old Raul Gonzalez Johnson.

Raul was reported missing Wednesday and investigators believe they found his body Saturday in a privately owned pond near his home in Scotland County.

The state medical examiner will confirm the identity and determine the official cause of death

Sheirley Stubbs lives near Raul’s family and said he always stopped by her home to get sweets.

“When he comes he wants to know Miss Shirley you got any cookies? You got any candy?” Stubbs said.

She says Wednesday morning around 11 he didn’t say anything and she sent him home.

“I don’t feel too good about it. I wish there was something more I could have done, but I couldn’t do no more cause when he went off of the ramp he didn’t get but halfway around then I shut the door” Stubbs said.

Michael Johnson said he is a cousin of Raul. Johnson said Raul was a curious happy four-year-old who loved meeting and talking with people.

“He’s always curious about everything he wanted to know how everything worked out and I mean it’s going to be hard without Raul around,” Johnson said.

Johnson says Raul’s life was cute short.

“This is something you hear one TV. This isn’t something you hear in your home town, your neighbors, especially your family. I never expected to see none of my cousins youngest die before me…he didn’t have a full life,” Johnson said.

The public is invited to attend a vigil for Johnson Monday at 6 p.m. at Good News Chapel. It’s located at 13961 Pea Bridge Road.