Authorities have arrested a second suspect in connection to the fatal shooting of a 44-year-old man who was walking his dog near downtown Atlanta in February.

Multiple people targeted and robbed 44-year-old Samuel “JR” Harris on Feb. 5 just after 8 p.m. at 893 Mitchell St. SW, according to the Atlanta Police Department. The suspects shot Harris and took his dog Tequilla, authorities said. Police responded to the shooting at about 8:49 p.m. Medical personnel pronounced the victim dead on the scene.

“Can you imagine your son walking down the street with his dog, minding his business when suddenly people came and robbed him of his life and his dog,” Harris’ mother Mary Boykins wrote on a GoFundMe page that has raised over $4,000 to reward anyone with information on the suspects. “His passion for dogs gave him a gentle aura and a quiet spirit giving him another piece of joy in life.”

Boykins did not respond to an immediate request for comment.

Authorities arrested Ricky Pierce, 41, on Friday in connection to the February shooting. Pierce faces multiple charges, including murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery and possession of firearm during a felony. Brandon Baker, 36, was arrested on April 22.

Baker was also charged with murder and aggravated assault, according to police. His charges of armed robbery and possession of a firearm during a felony have been dismissed, according to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office.

Police also arrested 33-year-old Holden Able on April 12 in connection to the shooting, but all charges against Able have been dismissed, according to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office. Able was released from jail on June 13.

About the Author

Keep Reading

FILE - A list of nine homicide victims all linked to a convicted felon is displayed by the Phoenix Police Department at a news conference, Jan. 18, 2018 in Phoenix. Cleophus Cooksey Jr. was charged and convicted in eight of the killings. (AP Photo/Terry Tang, File)

Credit: AP

Featured

Yemaya Lyles (right) wipes away tears during a news conference in front of the Rockdale County Public Schools administration building on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. Lyles' son, Antonio, was assaulted by a paraprofessional, who has since been fired and charged with battery. Lyles says her case against the school district has dragged on since then. (Miguel Martinez/AJC 2023)

Credit: Miguel Martinez