ALEA Responds to Homicide Investigation in Montgomery, Three Suspects Apprehended

On Tuesday, Jan. 7, at approximately 12:30 p.m., Troopers assigned to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division and Protective Services Division, Special Agents assigned to the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and ALEA's Aviation Unit all responded to assist the Montgomery Police Department (MPD) and the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) with a homicide investigation that occurred in the 2600 Block of Zelda Road in Montgomery.

The deceased was identified as 24-year-old Rodriquez Harris Jr. MPD was the first agency to arrive, at which point a suspect(s) fired at the officer and then fled on foot. However, the officer was not injured.

One suspect, Ladarius Knight, 24, of Montgomery, fled into a nearby McDonalds, where he was apprehended by ALEA Troopers. Knight was charged with Certain Persons Forbidden and was booked into the Montgomery County Jail.

Subsequently, a perimeter was established by ALEA personnel, and a search of the scene began for the remaining suspects. Suspects were located by ALEA Aviation in a nearby neighborhood, which relayed the information to officers on the ground. One suspect, an 18-year-old was apprehended by ALEA Special Agents and the Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit (MACS) and the second suspect, also an 18-year-old, was apprehended by MPD. Both suspects were charged with Capital Murder and booked into the Montgomery County Jail with no bond. One suspect was also charged with Attempted Murder for shooting at a Montgomery Police Officer.

Four firearms were recovered, two were equipped with machine gun conversion devices. Additional federal charges are forthcoming by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), who also responded to the scene to assist.

Nothing further is available as the investigation remains ongoing.