Authorities have detained four suspects more than a decade after discovering three people dead inside an abandoned automobile on the side of a Georgia highway. An assistant principal at a middle school near Birmingham, Alabama, is among those arrested, according to CBS station WAKA-TV.
Earlier this month, a grand jury indicted 45-year-old Keante Harris on three counts of malice murder for his alleged role in the 11-year-old murders. According to Clayton County Sheriff Levon Allen, the indictment also charged three other suspects, Kenneth Thompson, Kevin Harris, and Darrell Harris, with three counts of malice murder each.
According to authorities, the murders occurred in Clayton County, located just south of Atlanta. According to their research, they tortured and killed all three victims before placing them in a 2010 Dodge Charger, which they later found along Interstate 85 near Union City. Union City police discovered their deaths inside the truck on January 13, 2013, according to Allen’s account.
A home on Magnolia Drive in Jonesboro lured the victims, forcing them inside at gunpoint. Later, a Dodge Charger placed them in the back seat and drove them to Fulton County, according to the sheriff.
WAKA-TV reported that the victims died from beatings and strangulations. Cheryl Colquitt-Thompson, Quinones King, and Rodney Cottrell were all Montgomery, Alabama, residents, according to the station.
Allen stated that the Clayton County Police Department and the district attorney’s office have continued to investigate the murders and have just obtained indictments from the grand jury. Allen stated that they caught the four individuals on fugitive from justice warrants in three different states between Wednesday and Friday last week. Booking records indicate that the Jefferson County Jail in Birmingham is currently holding Harris.
Walter Gonsoulin, superintendent of Jefferson County Schools, confirmed Harris’ job as assistant principal at McAdory Middle School in a statement to WAKA-TV.
“Mr. Keante Harris’ arrest occurred Wednesday afternoon,” Gonsoulin said. “At this point, we are still gathering information on the issue’s circumstances.” However, early indications suggest that the accusations are unrelated to this person’s work with Jefferson County Schools. According to customary procedure, Mr. Harris has been placed on paid administrative leave. As further information becomes available, we will follow our district’s policy.