On the evening of Saturday, February 2, 2019, 24-year-old Ramonte Harris was fatally shot around 5:00 p.m. at the Regency Park Apartments on Sycamore Drive in Athens, Georgia. Harris was taken to a local hospital by a private vehicle but later died of his injuries. Witnesses described a vehicle leaving the scene, and police located a suspect at a shopping center on Alps Road.

Authorities identified the suspect as 21-year-old Darrall Christopher Early of Athens; Early and Harris were described as best friends who lived in the same apartment complex. Detectives investigated whether the killing was gang-related because Harris was known to be a member of the Never Broke Again street gang, but later ruled that out. Detectives say the motive stemmed from a dispute over a drug sale, while the acting District Attorney reported Early later claimed the argument was about Harris’s drug use. Toxicology showed Harris had used various controlled substances.

After the shooting, Early fled, discarded the weapon, changed his clothes, and initially denied involvement before later asserting self-defense. Harris left behind two young children. If anyone knew Ramonte Harris or was at Regency Park that evening, please share what you remember.