The Atlanta Police Department is calling out to the community for leads in the cold-blooded killing of 44-year-old Samuel Harris, known affectionately as "JR," who was brutally shot and robbed, along with his dog, "Tequilla," on the night of February 5. The shooting occurred on Mitchell Street SW, a stretch of road shadowed by the stark silhouettes of the neighborhood's grief and disbelief.
Samuel Harris's life came to a tragic halt just after 8:00 p.m. near the intersection of Mitchell Street SW and Joseph E. Lowery Blvd. SW. Detectives say that a group of assailants accosted Harris in what appears to be a cruel robbery turned murder. In an alarming twist to the violent act, criminals not only claimed a man's life but also seized his canine companion, "Tequilla."
The Atlanta Police Department’s Homicide Unit is diligently working to unwrap the circumstances that led to Harris's untimely death. They urge anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has any relevant information to step forward. The department has stated, “At this time, the public’s assistance is being requested in providing any information related to this homicide.”
The quest for answers and justice hangs heavy over the city, where community members are rattled by the brutality of the crime. Law enforcement officials have not yet apprehended the perpetrators, a stark reminder of the savagery that escaped into the night. Tips can be submitted anonymously to the Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line at (404) 577-TIPS (8477) or by texting CSA and the tip to CRIMES (274637). Individuals providing information can remain anonymous and might be eligible for a reward up to $2,000.
Officers were first notified of the incident at approximately 8:49 p.m. and found Harris with a life-ending gunshot wound upon their arrival at the scene. Despite the best efforts of medical personnel, Harris was pronounced deceased right where the bullets had interrupted his journey – a grim marker on Mitchell St. SW. A photo of Samuel Harris and his loyal four-legged friend has been circulated in a bid to stir the public’s conscience and generate leads.
The Atlanta community is left grieving a man described by those who knew him as warm and friendly, and the sorrow is deepened by the senseless violence that took him from this world. As investigators continue their relentless pursuit, the Atlanta Police Department vows to leave no stone unturned until they bring those responsible for this heinous crime and the theft of "Tequilla" to justice.
