Grieving friends, family condemn Johnson slaying

After news reached here that images of Johnson’s decapitated body and head had been shown on a website, a Little Egg Harbor police officer kept a stream of TV crews and photographers away from Mayeux’s house. Across the street, neighbours fastened 13 yellow ribbons and two US flags to wooden poles, which also held a sign that read: ‘‘Our prayers and thoughts are with Paul Johnson II and his family. Bring him home safe!’’

Since Johnson’s Muslim kidnappers released a video of him, residents of this community had spent the days wrapping yellow ribbons around trees, telephone poles and porch railings. Among the many signs of support was a digital bulletin board at Southern Regional High School: ‘‘Our prayers are with the family of Paul Johnson, Class of 1973.’’

Friends and acquaintances of Johnson reacted with horror and anger. ‘‘It’s unbelievable,’’ said John Hayes, a friend. ‘‘He didn’t deserve that. This man wasn’t even fighting a war over there.’’

‘‘Paul was a valued and respected employee who bravely carried out his duties,’’ Lockheed Martin said in a statement. — (LAT-WP)