A Crawford man has been charged with murder for his role in the Friday morning shooting death of a Columbus man.
Randal Carl Cooper Jr., 20, turned himself in to authorities Friday afternoon after a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was charged with murder for his alleged role in the shooting death of 23-year-old Virgil Harris.
According to Chief of Police Selvain McQueen, Harris was shot multiple times by Cooper near the intersection of Third Ave. North and 21st Street.
Cooper and Harris were riding in a vehicle with an unnamed female driver, according to McQueen. Harris, who was in the front passenger seat, asked the driver to take him to a home located near 21st Street North. When the vehicle came to a stop, Harris opened the door to exit. Witnesses on scene said Cooper began shooting as soon as Harris exited the vehicle. Cooper, who was in the back seat, leaned over the console and continued shooting Harris after Harris was on the ground, witnesses said.
Once Harris was on the ground, the driver got out of the vehicle and ran to help. Cooper got into the driver’s seat and the woman got into the back seat. The two then fled the scene.
Cooper drove to the area of Fifth Avenue North where he parked the car, took the keys and fled on foot. The woman, who had a spare set of keys, drove back to the scene of the shooting.
Witnesses who observed the shooting dialed 911. Harris was transported via ambulance to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle. He was pronounced dead at 2:27 a.m., Lowndes County Corner Greg Merchant said.
Merchant said Harris appears to have died from multiple gunshot wounds, but the body is being transported to Jackson for autopsy.
Cooper is currently in the custody of the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center awaiting bond.
McQueen said he hopes Friday morning’s murder is the last of the city’s violence this year.
“You know, this was our second murder this year and I would certainly hope that this is the last one for 2013,” he said.
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 33 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 33 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
