In the quiet early morning hours of May 7, 2025, in Church Hill, a small town in Hawkins County near Kingsport, Tennessee, the life of Shamod Tylond Harris was tragically cut short. Harris, a 23-year-old African American man, had recently moved to the area from Durham, North Carolina, seeking a fresh start and a peaceful life with his girlfriend. He was described by his mother as being full of life, love, and laughter.
On that Wednesday morning, at approximately 5:40 a.m., deputies from the Hawkins County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a residence on Rocky Hill Lane following a report of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they discovered Harris deceased inside the home. An investigation was immediately launched into the apparent homicide.
The preliminary investigation suggested that the motive for the shooting was connected to an escalating dispute involving a mutual female acquaintance of Harris and the suspect. According to Harris's mother, he was shot and killed while he was sleeping, allegedly by his girlfriend's ex-partner.
Within a day of the shooting, the Hawkins County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of a suspect. Daquion Carter, 31, was taken into custody and charged with First Degree Murder and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in connection with the death of Shamod Harris. Following the investigation at the scene, a person of interest had been located and was receiving medical treatment before being formally charged. The investigation indicated that there were no other suspects at the time.
In the wake of his death, Shamod Harris's family mourned the loss of a young man they described as goofy, loving, and deeply connected to his family. Funeral services were held on May 15, 2025, in his hometown of Durham, North Carolina, where his family resides. A fundraiser was organized to help his family with the expenses of bringing his body back to North Carolina for burial.
