In the summer of 2020, a dispute over a misplaced bag tragically escalated, leading to the death of 38-year-old Joshua Kellam in Fayetteville, Georgia. On July 31, 2020, Kellam dropped off his 10-year-old daughter for a visit with her mother, Dawn Harmon, and her husband, Jermaine Harmon. The following day, Kellam realized he had inadvertently left a travel bag containing important legal and personal documents in his daughter's luggage.
Throughout the day on August 1, Kellam made
numerous attempts to retrieve his belongings. He repeatedly called and sent text messages to Dawn Harmon, but his efforts were ignored. He even visited the Harmon residence, both alone and accompanied by law enforcement officers, but was met with no response. Undeterred, Kellam returned to the home one final time that evening, hoping to resolve the matter.
When Kellam knocked on the door, he was met by Jermaine Harmon, who was armed with a. 40-caliber Glock pistol. An altercation ensued, during which Jermaine Harmon fatally shot Joshua Kellam. The investigation that followed revealed a contentious history between Kellam and Dawn Harmon, including a recent court case in which Kellam had prevailed regarding visitation rights with their daughter.
Subsequent investigations led to the arrests of both Jermaine and Dawn Harmon. Jermaine Harmon was charged with felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He claimed self-defense at his trial, but a Fayette County jury found him guilty on all counts. He was sentenced to life in prison plus five years. Dawn Harmon faced charges of making false statements and tampering with evidence. Investigators discovered she had lied about the contents of Kellam's bag and had shredded the important documents inside. She was found guilty and sentenced to 15 years, with five years to be served in prison.
