John Michael Songer, a 47-year-old white male, tragically lost his life on December 29, 2018, in Charlotte, North Carolina. John was born on April 5, 1971, in Dearborn, Michigan, and was the only son of Richard and Barbara Gunn Songer. He was a resident of Charlotte at the time of his death and was known for his love of live music and his kind, quiet demeanor.
On the night of his death, John was outside Smokey Joe's Cafe, a local music venue he frequented.
He was struck by a stray bullet while standing in the patio area of the cafe. The bullet was fired by Jamie Harris, a 35-year-old convicted felon who had previously served ten years in prison for second-degree murder. Harris had been released on parole just five months before the incident and had been arrested multiple times in the months leading up to the shooting.
Harris was charged with murder and possession of a firearm by a felon less than 24 hours after the shooting. The case highlighted significant gaps in the criminal justice system, as Harris had been repeatedly granted low bonds despite his violent history. Friends of John Songer expressed their frustration and sadness, stating that the system had failed to protect their friend.
The Mecklenburg County District Attorney called for statewide changes to the justice system in response to the case. The tragic death of John Michael Songer serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of inadequate oversight and lenient policies for repeat offenders.
