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http://www.dailytimesleader.com/articles/2005/10/10/news/news01.txt
Harris to be arraigned this morning
Officials to seek murder, several other charges
By Kyle Shelton
Daily Times Leader
Steven Jesse Harris, accused in the murder of his father and the shooting of three police officers will be arraigned in West Point Municipal Court Tuesday at 9 a.m.
West Point Police Chief Bill Gibson said that Harris in several weekend shootings will likely be charged with the murder of his father.
Harris, 23, 752 Mayhew St., West Point, will possibly be charged with at least four counts of aggravated assault with a weapon, attempted kidnapping, kidnapping, two car-jackings and the murder of his father, Malachi Randle, 72, also of 752 Mayhew St.
Randle died of a gunshot wound, officials said Monday.
Gibson said he expects Harris will be charged with all the crimes and could be charged with others.
“These are the charges we anticipate seeking,” Gibson said.
Harris is scheduled to be arraigned at 9 a.m. in West Point Municipal Court.
Three officers, two from West Point and a Tri-County Narcotics officer, were shot by Harris. West Point officer Jesse Anderson was shot in the face, officer Ken Poole was shot in the torso and Tri-County Narcotics Task Force Sgt. Shane Lamkin was shot in the lower leg, according to police reports.
Poole and Anderson were both improving after surgery at North Mississippi Medical Center - Tupelo Monday. Lamkin was treated and released from NMMC - West Point Sunday.
Harris has an extensive misdemeanor arrest record in Oktibbeha County on offenses ranging from simple assault to disregarding a traffic control device.
He served 14 days in the Oktibbeha County Jail in late July on a Justice Court conviction for disorderly conduct stemming from a December 2004 incident, in which he assaulted Sheriff Dolph Bryan during a meeting at his office in Starkville.
Harris’ twin brother, Stephenson, is currently in prison for violating his probation on a 1999 conviction for sale of marijuana. Stephenson Harris is also facing trial on three charges of simple assault on a law enforcement officer stemming from incidents in November 2003 and December 2004. Oktibbeha County officials said the Harris and his brother have been known to use their identities interchangeably when being arrested.
Gibson said all the charges Harris faces stem from the Saturday night incident in West Point.
At about 10:30 p.m. Saturday night West Point police officers responded to several calls about a man with a gun and shots fired in the 300 block of U.S. 45 Alternate near Sonic Drive-In, according to Capt. Danny McCaskill.
“Upon arriving officers were able to piece together from talking to witnesses at Sonic Drive-In that a tall heavy set black male entered the Sonic Drive-In parking lot on foot carrying a rifle,” McCaskill said. According to witnesses the man, later identified as Harris, fired at at least two vehicles passing on the highway. One of those shots hit Terrence Calvert in the arm as he drove by the area, according to police reports.
“The suspect then turned his attention to persons in the Sonic Drive-In parking lot,” McCaskill said.
Witnesses said Harris approached several cars pointing the weapon at the occupants demanding their cars. At least one car sped away. Harris then allegedly stabbed Joshua Funderburg, 20, of West Point, in the chest with a knife while he tried to take the car the Funderburg was a passenger in.
Harris then allegedly tried to enter the restaurant, but finding the doors locked fired the rifle and smashed the front door glass with the butt of the rifle. Investigators later recovered a scope that broke away from the rifle near the broken door.
“The suspect finally directed his attention to a white Honda Accord occupied by Kevin Collins and Monica Chandler, both of West Point,” McCaskill said. “The suspect pointed the rifle at the couple and ordered Collins out of the vehicle while telling Chandler to remain in the vehicle.”
Harris then allegedly drove out of the parking lot and headed north on U.S. Highway 45 Alternate. West Point officers chased Harris as he allegedly drove the car. He apparently began swerving and lost control of the car near Mitchell Buick, located at 1522 U.S. 45 Alternate North.
Harris then left the Honda and allegedly began firing at officers.
Harris then apparently ran across the highway, exchanging gunfire with West Point officers and attempted to take Shalise Ewing, 24, of West Point, hostage. Ewing was driving south on U.S. 45 Alternate and stopped when he saw police cars.
Harris allegedly got into the driver’s side of Ewing’s Lincoln and continued firing at officers until he was shot in the left side and shoulder, according to police reports.
“Officers were then able to subdue Harris and take him into custody,” McCaskill said. “A revolver, straight razor and pocket knife were found near Harris as well as a .22-caliber rifle.”
Officers also recovered a .38-caliber pistol and another handgun, Gibson said.
Gibson said he will request that Harris does not receive any bond because “he is a danger to society.”
Starkville Daily News Managing Editor Brian Hawkins contributed to this story.
