Coroner: Man died from self-inflicted gunshot in factory parking lot

SANDUSKY — Police are investigating the death of a man at Okamoto Sandusky Manufacturing last week.On Nov. 4, police received a phone call about a shooting at the factory at about 10:45 p.m., according to a Sandusky police report. Joshua Johnson, 38, of Sandusky, was found in the parking lot and was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders.The case is still open with Sandusky police as they wait for a final determination on the manner of death, Sandusky Detective Kevin Youskievicz. The coroner makes the determination on the manner of death — natural, accidental, suicide, homicide or undetermined — not the police.The Lucas County Coroner's Office completed the examination and the preliminary autopsy report has been returned to the Erie County coroner, Dr. Brian Baxter."It looks like it was apparently a self-inflicted gunshot because there was gunpowder residue on both hands," Baxter said.An employee from Okamoto, who wished to remain anonymous, contacted the Register with concerns about Johnson. The employee claimed Johnson wasn't employed by the company and had concerns about how he allegedly got into the secure parking lot with a gun.The human resources manager at Okamoto had no comment when asked if the victim of the shooting was an employee of the company.More Sandusky police articlesReach reporter Michael Harrington at michaelharrington@sanduskyregister.com, follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterOkamoto Sandusky 2007