A teenager accused of threatening a crowd at a public park with an AR-15 is in custody at Lowndes County Adult Detention Center for attempted aggravated assault.
Deputies with Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office arrested Dearius Orlando Harris, 19, of 802 Danna Dr., Monday afternoon. LCSO Chief Deputy Marc Miley said Harris may face more charges in the incident.
LCSO Capt. Greg Wright told The Dispatch Monday that Harris and another person showed up for an event at Plum Grove Community Center Saturday night. Harris attempted to enter the event without paying the $5 entry fee. When he was not allowed to enter, Harris allegedly went back to his vehicle, grabbed an AR-15 semi-automatic assault rifle and began to point it at event attendees when someone acting as security punched him and took the weapon.
Miley said Harris was punched hard enough that he was temporarily knocked out. He then woke up, got back in his vehicle with the other suspect and drove away.
Harris is currently being held at Lowndes County Adult Detention Center.
LCSO investigators also arrested Lonzell Harris, Jr., also of Columbus, who was with Dearius Harris at the event. Miley said Lonzell is being held on a pending attempted aggravated assault charge and unrelated charges from Columbus Police Department.
Neither of their bonds have been set.
Authorities did not release either suspect’s booking photos or Lonzell’s age and address by press time.
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