Three suspects have been charged in relation with the death of a Southern University student.
As per media, authorities found 20-year-old former Southern University student Steven Harris passed away after he missed a custody hearing for his son.
Media reports that Steven Harris went missing on July 17. Mississippi deputies learned about it on July 20 and met his family in Centreville. Deputies formed a search team on July 23. Investigators discovered a body, believed to be Harris, in Wilkinson County, Mississippi with multiple gunshot wounds.
The Wilkinson County Sheriff’s Office said Derek Terrell Hollins Jr., 21, Calajia Jack, 20, and Allyah Martin, 21, face 1st-degree homicide charges in West Feliciana Parish. Including, officials also charged Hollins with possession of a machine gun.
WAFB 9 confirms that Allyah Martin and Steven Harris co-parented one son. Furthermore, they had a custody hearing on July 18, but Steven’s absence raised his family’s suspicions.
As per media, Steven and Allyah filed multiple restraining orders against each other before their custody hearing. Steven’s parents told that he was ready to fight for full custody of his son at the hearing.
Harris’ mom Lasonia, said someone told her that Steven attended a party in Centreville, Mississippi, on the day he disappeared. She noted that his friends were unaware that he had left the state.
“None of them have ever remembered Steven ever talking about going to Centreville, Mississippi, knowing anyone from Centreville, Mississippi, or ever being in Centreville, Mississippi,” Lasonia said.
West Feliciana Parish Sheriff Brian Spillman and detectives believe Hollins, Jack, and Martin conspired to lure Steven Harris from West Feliciana Parish to Mississippi, where someone shot and killed him.
“We know that Mississippi authorities are pursuing charges in this lawsuit, but, we believe the plan to commit this incident was hatched here; and the first phases leading up to Steven’s death started here in West Feliciana Parish,” Spillman said.
Media reported that authorities are holding the 3 suspects at the West Feliciana Parish Jail and that they will be extradited to Mississippi to face charges. The media revealed that the investigation is currently ongoing, and the suspects may face additional charges.