In the late hours of a Wednesday evening in November 2019, the life of Derrick Harris, a 31-year-old male from Millville, New Jersey, was tragically cut short. On November 6th, police were called to the Delsea Gardens apartment complex where they discovered Harris unresponsive on the floor of an apartment. He had been shot multiple times and succumbed to his injuries.
Born in Bridgeton on November 2, 1988, Derrick was a man who cherished his large family and the time he spent with his friends. He was educated in the Upper Deerfield Township School District and was a father to three daughters. Those who knew him will remember the sound of his distinct laugh.
The investigation into Harris's death quickly led to arrests.
The day after the shooting, authorities charged Bridgeton residents Deontray Gross, 32, and Gregory Coombs, 41, with murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Coombs faced additional charges, including burglary and several firearms offenses.
About a month later, the investigation brought forth a third suspect. Cleve Lewis, 32, also from Bridgeton, was arrested and faced the same charges as Coombs. The apprehension of these three men marked a significant development in the case, bringing some measure of progress for a grieving family and community.
