On a late March evening in Blytheville, Arkansas, a fatal encounter unfolded at a local convenience store, leaving one man dead. Malikk Holliman was shot and killed on March 30, 2019, in the parking lot of Danny's Store. The events leading to his death were captured from multiple angles by the store's security cameras.
That evening, Rakeem Harris arrived at the store with his child, entering and then returning to his car. Shortly after, Holliman was seen going into the same store.
A few moments later, Harris's brother, Renaldre Harris, pulled into the parking spot next to his brother's vehicle. Surveillance footage showed the Harris brothers interacting before Holliman exited the store. As Holliman walked away from the entrance, Rakeem Harris was seen on video aiming a firearm and firing several shots in his direction. Holliman immediately collapsed to the ground. An autopsy later determined that the cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds, with the fatal shot entering the back of his neck.
The investigation into Holliman's death led to the arrest of Rakeem Harris. He was charged with first-degree murder on April 15, 2019. During his trial in September 2021, his defense argued that he did not intend to kill Holliman but was instead trying to scare him to protect his brother. Harris testified that he 'blacked out' and started shooting in Holliman's direction. He claimed he heard other gunshots, though he did not see anyone else in the area.
Ultimately, the jury found Rakeem Harris guilty of first-degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison, with an additional 204 months due to sentence enhancements for using a firearm in the commission of a felony and for committing the murder in the presence of a child. Court documents also mention that the bailiff had told a juror during deliberations that Renaldre Harris had received a life sentence for his role in the events, though further details about any charges or convictions against him were not specified in the provided information.
