John Harris

John Harris, known to loved ones as "Johnny," was a 24-year-old Black man with a bright future and a deep devotion to his family. The youngest of seven children, he was remembered by his mother, Peggy Harris, as someone who did everything right—he was a voter, a taxpayer, and he stayed away from trouble. A graduate of Princeton High School, where he wrestled and was active in the ROTC, John was building a life for himself and his high school sweetheart, Lynette Williams. Together they had three children, the youngest still an infant at the time of his death. A month before he was killed, John had earned his plumbing license, following in his mother's footsteps and securing a way to provide for his young family.

In the early morning hours of June 7, 2007, John was returning to his home in Cincinnati's Northside neighborhood after visiting relatives. As he pulled up to his house in the 4200 block of Fergus Street around 2:25 a.m., he was attacked in what police believe was a carjacking and robbery. Neighbors reported hearing John plead with his attackers, "Don't do this. I got three kids." Despite his pleas, he was shot three times, with one bullet piercing his heart. Police and fire personnel arrived to find him lying in the street, where he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The assailants stole his black Chevrolet Monte Carlo and several personal items, including a gold chain, removable gold teeth, and his bank and identification cards. The car was found abandoned a short time later at the entrance to Spring Grove Cemetery. His bank and ID cards were discovered on the ground at the intersection of Chase Avenue and Chambers Street. The stolen necklace, which his mother said looked more valuable than it was, was never recovered. The Cincinnati Police Department began a homicide investigation, but for years, the case went cold.

For more than a decade, John’s mother, Peggy Harris, tirelessly sought justice for her son. She became a prominent community advocate, supporting other families affected by gun violence and working to keep John's case in the public eye. She could be found at nearly every community event promoting peace and encouraging people with information on unsolved homicides to come forward. Her son's face was featured on posters and playing cards distributed by the organization "U Can Speak for Me." In 2019, the plumbers union John had belonged to added $5,000 to a standing Crimestoppers reward for information.

A breakthrough finally came in September 2020, 13 years after the murder. The Cincinnati Police Department asked its criminalists to reexamine evidence from the scene using technology that had significantly improved over the years. This reexamination led directly to two suspects. In October 2020, the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office announced that Christopher Whitt, then 34, and Darris DeVaughn, then 30, had been indicted in connection with John's death. The announcement brought a long-awaited sense of relief to Peggy Harris, who said simply, "God is good."

Whitt and DeVaughn were each charged with one count of aggravated murder, one count of murder, and one count of aggravated robbery. If convicted on all charges, both men face the possibility of life in prison without the chance of parole. Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters credited the persistent work of the Cincinnati Police Department and the advancements in forensic technology for solving the long-unsolved case. He also specifically thanked Peggy Harris for her unwavering advocacy and her work to promote peace in the community.

As of October 2020, the investigation into John Harris's death was considered ongoing, and authorities indicated that more arrests were possible. The Cincinnati Police Department continues to ask for the public's help. Anyone with information regarding the case is encouraged to contact the CPD Homicide Unit at (513) 352-3542.