In the late hours of a December evening in Canton, Mississippi, the life of Harry Lee Readus Jr., a 27-year-old Black/African American male, was brought to an abrupt and violent end. On December 22, 2022, while he was asleep at a residence on North Canal Street, an intruder forced their way into the home through a back door. The sanctity of the home was shattered as the unknown individual proceeded to ransack the dwelling.
The invasion turned deadly when the intruder shot Readus three times. Despite his critical injuries, a desperate fight for survival ensued. Readus managed to flee from the house, his strength failing him as he collapsed at the nearby intersection of Northwest and Canal Streets. Emergency services were alerted, and he was quickly transported to Merit Health in Canton. Tragically, the medical efforts were in vain, and he was pronounced dead at the hospital.
In the aftermath of the homicide, the Canton Police Department launched an investigation into the home invasion and shooting. However, the case has been fraught with challenges. To date, authorities have not publicly identified any suspects in the killing of Harry Lee Readus Jr. No arrests have been made, and a clear motive for the brutal attack has not been established. The investigation remains ongoing as law enforcement continues to seek information from the public that might lead to a breakthrough in the case and provide answers for a grieving family and community.
