Anguish continues for family of slain Nacho Hippo employee after last-minute trial delay

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Quentin Johnson’s family have been waiting two years for justice, and they hoped it finally would begin this week.

Horry County police say Lafredia Todd shot Johnson in the back of the head in July 2022 while both were on the job at Nacho Hippo, a popular eatery at 850 North Beach Blvd, across from Barefoot Landing.

The incident was captured on video and Todd later admitted to killing the 26-year-old Loris man. Her trial was supposed to begin Monday in 15th Circuit Court but has been delayed following a request by her attorney.

The last-minute maneuver left Johnson’s family disappointed and uncertain about when proceedings may begin. Many of his relatives flew in from around the East Coast to attend.

“With no firm date set, my family and I are now forced to ride this rollercoaster yet again,” said John DeVille Jr., a family representative. “We will continue to unrelentingly fight for justice for Quentin, and ensure that Todd faces the harshest punishment under the law.”

John Morgan, Kristian Cross and Joe Sandefur, the attorneys representing Johnson’s family, said in August 2022 it appears the restaurant knew about previous violent threats made by the coworker and that this shooting could’ve been prevented.

“We are working to learn as much as we can about how ownership and management at Nacho Hippo responded to these alleged threats, because their actions — or inactions — have had the gravest possible consequences,” they said in a statement at the time.

Johnson’s sister, Tanitha Sterling, said every day that goes by without a trial makes the ordeal harder on them.

“My birthday, Dec. 20. His birthday, Dec. 18. All that plays a part. You know, holidays come up, our birthdays,” she said. “And so now we’ve got to live with this over again.”

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Skylar Musick is a multimedia journalist at News13. Skylar is originally from Long Island, New York. She joined the News13 team in June 2024 after graduating from Villanova University in May 2024. Follow Skylar on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook , or Instagram , and read more of her work here .

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Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12 . See more of his work here .

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