A 19-year-old girl who was found dead at Hay Court Apartments in West Tuscaloosa Friday afternoon was fatally shot during a gun sale-turned-robbery, according to court documents filed Tuesday morning.
A sworn deposition made public Tuesday morning sheds light on the shooting, which apparently stemmed from Harris trying to steal back a gun he was selling to another man.
According to the documents, Harris and 19-year-old Jerrell Brown were in the back seat of Robinson’s car Friday afternoon when a third man who had arranged to buy a gun from Harris approached the vehicle.
The alleged robbery victim gave Harris his money and took the firearm, but almost immediately, Harris and Brown began struggling with the third man to regain possession of the gun and keep the cash.
Investigators arrested Harris Saturday and charged him with felony murder and second-degree robbery. The 18-year-old is also a suspect in a February 2020 killing, when he and four other young men allegedly exchanged gunfire on Fosters Ferry Road, leading to the death of 22-year-old Darrieon Dees.
Harris was charged with murder for Dees’ death and three counts of attempted murder in connection with the shooting, but he was out on bond awaiting trial when Robinson was killed last Friday.
The three men fought for control of the firearm briefly before the third man let go. According to the deposition, shortly after he released the weapon, he heard a gunshot ring out from inside the vehicle.
Investigators believe the bullet fired after the struggle struck Robinson, who was in the driver’s seat, in her head.
The robbery victim reported seeing either Harris or Brown throw the firearm out of the car and into the road from the backseat before they fled the area on foot.
Police and medical personnel flooded the scene shortly after 4 p.m. Friday. Despite attempts to save her life, Robinson was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene.
The victim has been identified as Shania Monae Robinson, who lived in the apartment complex.
Police have charged 18-year-old Derasmus Devalle Harris, Jr. with murder and second-degree robbery in the case and continue to seek a second suspect for the killing.
The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes unit is investigating a death after a body was found at a boat landing Friday.
That is where some people who were doing work on the docks discovered a body.
The VCU conducts most death investigations outside of medical care within the county.
Police were called at about 10:30 a.m. to the boat landing on Sharpes Lake Road, which is known as Sharpe’s Landing on Lake Tuscaloosa
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An investigation is underway after a body was found Friday near a boat landing on Lake Tuscaloosa.
Tuscaloosa police responded at 10:30 a.m. to the landing on Sharpes Lake Road. That area is often referred to as Sharpe’s Landing
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Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit Capt. Jack Kennedy said the body was found by workers who had arrived to so some work on the docks.
A cause of death has not yet been determined, but Kennedy said there is no reason to believe foul play was involved.
TVCU, he said, conducts most death investigations in the county.
“Out of respect for the privacy of the family,’’ Kennedy said, “no further information will be released.
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