Boys’ basketball: Eisenhower coach Steve Johnson wounded by gunfire

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Longtime Eisenhower Rialto boys’ basketball coach Steve Johnson was shot in San Bernardino on Monday night, a school district official said Tuesday.

Johnson is being treated at Loma Linda Medical Center. There is no immediate word on his condition.

Eisenhower is scheduled to hold a staff meeting on Tuesday to inform teachers and staff, according to Rialto Unified School District spokeswoman Syeda Jafri.

‘We are shocked and saddened at this horrific news,’ Jafri said in a statement. ‘The outpouring of love and support from not only the Rialto community but the Inland Empire for this championship coach has been tremendously overwhelming. Our hearts are with the Johnson family. He’s a tremendous child advocate.’

In a news release from the San Bernardino Police Department, police say Johnson was driving to a buisness to get gas when he stopped at Seccombe Lake to use a restroom.

‘While in the parking lot, he was approached by three unknown black male suspects who tried to rob him of his wallet,’ according to the release. ‘During this time, one or more of the suspects fired a handgun at the victim, striking him several times in the upper torso. The suspects fled on foot with no property.

‘The victim drove himself to the SB Police Department to get help. He was taken via ambulance to an arera hospital for non-life threatening injuries.’

Johnson, 47, has been Eisenhower’s coach since 1993. He was The Times’ coach of the year in 2009. He also serves as athletic director. Assistant Ray Jimmerson has been appointed to coach the team Tuesday against Redlands.

-- Eric Sondheimer