On June 6, 2023, James Harmon, a 36-year-old father of four, was tragically killed in his St. Paul, Minnesota, home. Early that morning, around midnight, a man named Tevon Antowon King broke into Harmon's residence on White Bear Avenue. King, who was reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis exacerbated by drug use, entered Harmon's home and shot him in the head while he was sleeping.
The following day, June 7, 2023, authorities discovered Harmon's body in his basement bedroom, wrapped in covers with blood on the sheets. A spent shell casing was found at the foot of his bed. Harmon's roommate reported hearing gunshots outside their home around midnight but did not investigate, assuming it was unrelated. She later found Harmon unresponsive in his bed.
King, 27, was arrested after a standoff with police on the same block earlier that night. He was charged with second-degree murder and first-degree burglary with a dangerous weapon. In April 2024, King pleaded guilty to these charges and was sentenced to 25½ years in prison.
Harmon's family described him as a loving and caring individual who was excited about his job and looking forward to working the day he was killed. His sister, Raquel Lopez, expressed the family's profound loss, stating, 'I'm still waiting for somebody to tell me he wasn't so ruthlessly ripped away from us.'
This incident highlights the devastating impact of gun violence on families and communities. Harmon's death serves as a somber reminder of the need for continued efforts to address mental health issues and prevent such tragedies.
