An Atlanta community is reeling from a monstrous crime as police hunt for the killers of a local man, shot dead while his dog was snatched away during what officials label a "targeted attack." Samuel “JR” Harris, 44, was walking his dog, Tequilla, when he was ambushed and fatally shot by an unidentified group around 8 p.m. last Monday, as reported by People. The assailants allegedly stole his dog following the shooting, leaving the Atlanta Police Department scrambling for answers and, turning to the public for assistance.
The tragic event has shuddered the local community, sending Harris' family into a realm of grief and uncertainty. The victim's wife, Lea Harris, recounts her husband's distinct laughter, saying, "All I hear is that laugh, that laugh is definitely going to be missed," in a statement obtained by Fox 5 Atlanta. Meanwhile, Harris's sister, Liz Robinson, echoes the sentiment of loss and pleads for the return of Tequilla, who she believes embodies a "piece" of her brother.
In a display of communal mourning and solidarity, a vigil was held at Charles L. Harper Memorial Park, with family members sharing memories and expressing their affection for Harris. "I need you to know that my brother was loved by the community. He was loved. Everybody loved him," Robinson told Fox 5 Atlanta. Relatives hailing from various cities gathered, despite inclement weather, to light candles and honor a life cut dreadfully short.
The family is now offering a $5,000 reward, adding to the initial $2,000 offered by CrimeStoppers, in hopes of compelling someone to step forward with information. They have also established a GoFundMe campaign, seeking to increase the reward money to $10,000. The campaign's goal is to incentivize the surfacing of details that would lead to the apprehension of Harris' killers and, the safe return of his cherished dog, Tequilla.
Authorities urge anyone with information regarding the case to contact the Atlanta Police Department’s Homicide Unit at (404) 546-4235. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line at (404) 577-TIPS (8477), on their official website, or via text by sending "CSA" and the information to CRIMES (274637). The urgency in solving this heinous crime resonates throughout the Atlanta community, as both a grieving family and law enforcement seek justice for Harris and a homecoming for Tequilla.
