CHEROKEE COUNTY, Texas — A Shreveport man has been found guilty of capital murder after two men were found shot dead on the side of the road in January 2022 in Cherokee County.
Devon Harris was was arrested in October 2022 for the deaths of Jakari Hogan and Ronnie Pearson, both of Shreveport, who were found dead with apparent gunshot wounds on Jan. 30 on Highway 79 East at the Cherokee and Rusk County line.
Following further investigation, investigators issued a warrant for Harris' arrest on February 2. He was considered armed and dangerous at the time, the sheriff's office said.
Witnesses said Harris and the victims were friends who were returning to Louisiana after a trail ride in Cherokee County when they began arguing.
Officials say Harris pulled the car over on Highway 79 North near the Rusk County line, grabbed a pistol and shot both Pearson and Hogan.
"Hogan collapsed on the highway and as Harris was trying to move the body to the shoulder a passing motorist stopped to assist," the Cherokee County District Attorney's Office said. "Believing there had been an accident, the motorist told Harris he was calling 911. Hearing this, Harris disposed of the murder weapon, got into Hogan’s car and fled to Louisiana where he abandoned the vehicle."
Harris was sentenced to life in prison without parole.