In the early morning hours of February 6, 2022, the Scottsdale, Arizona community lost a beloved member, Scott Harkness. The 59-year-old man, a cherished Special Olympics athlete, was walking home from a favorite local sports bar when his life was tragically cut short. He was discovered on the side of the road near Camelback and Hayden roads, having sustained a fatal gunshot wound.
First responders rushed him to a nearby hospital, but sadly, he was pronounced dead.
The news of Harkness's death sent ripples of shock and grief through the community that knew him as a kind and happy soul. He was a familiar and friendly face at Zipps Sports Grill, where he regularly spent his Saturday nights enjoying nachos and iced tea with lemonade. Beyond his weekly routine, Harkness was a dedicated athlete and a volunteer coach for the Scottsdale Bobcats, a Special Olympics team. His passion for sports was matched by his commitment to helping others, and he was known for his readiness to lend a hand to anyone in need.
The investigation into the seemingly random act of violence led Scottsdale police to 38-year-old John Merryman. Just a few months prior to the shooting, Merryman had petitioned the court to restore his right to own a firearm following a previous felony conviction. Forensic evidence ultimately linked a gun found near the scene of the crime to both Harkness's wound and to Merryman.
Following his arrest, John Merryman was charged with first-degree murder, a drive-by shooting, and possession of a weapon by a prohibited person. He later pleaded not guilty to all charges. The community was left to grapple with the senseless loss of a man who was described as a huge staple in Scottsdale, a thoughtful and giving individual whose absence would leave an irreplaceable void.
