A man is found fatally shot in the parking lot On March 8, 2016, 24-year-old African American male Damon Jamal Gerald Harris, known as "DJ" to his family and friends, was fatally shot in the parking lot of 803 Copley Road in Akron, Ohio, at approximately 1:45 p.m. Emergency responders transported him to Akron General Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The Summit County Medical Examiner classified his death as a homicide.
At the time of the incident, no suspects were identified, and the case remained unsolved for several years. Summit County Crimestoppers offered a reward for information leading to the identification or arrest of the person responsible for the shooting death of Damon J. Harris. The Akron Police Department continued to investigate the case, seeking assistance from the public.
In 2022, while in custody on unrelated charges, 36-year-old Rondell Harris of East Cleveland confessed to the murder, providing details only someone involved would know. He admitted to attempting to rob Damon Harris Jr. at gunpoint and shooting him when he tried to flee. Rondell Harris pleaded guilty to murder with a firearm specification, aggravated robbery with a firearm specification, and having weapons while under disability. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 30, 2025.
Prior to this confession, Rondell Harris had been sentenced in May 2023 to 26 to 31½ years in prison after pleading guilty to rape, kidnapping, tampering with evidence, and disrupting public services in connection with the sexual assault of a Mahoning County Sheriff's deputy. He was declared a Tier Three sex offender and a violent offender.
Damon Harris, born on May 17, 1991, in Akron, Ohio, was remembered by his family and friends as "DJ." He was the son of Tynnetta Vinson and Damon L. Harris. His funeral services were held on March 14, 2016, at the House of the Lord in Akron. He was cremated following the services.
