News Release: Suspect in Shooting Prior to FAPD Officer Involved Shooting Arrested
- Deputy Jamie Burton
- May 22
- 1 min read
05/22/26
Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Jermaine Harris in reference to two separate shooting incidents that occurred in the early morning hours of May 10, 2026.
As part of the investigation into the May 10, 2026, shooting at Relapse Bar & Grill, in which a Forest Acres police officer discharged their firearm, RCSD identified Harris as the suspect who fired the shots heard by a Forest Acres officer, prompting additional units to respond. This shooting into the air started the chain of events that led to the officer-involved shooting.
After committing the shooting at Relapse, Harris was involved in another shooting at Ole Place (3311 Two Notch Rd) just a couple of hours later, around 5:00 am. Similar to the Relapse shooting, he was shooting into the air. Investigators contacted Columbia Police Department to advise that Harris was the suspect in both cases, and RCSD adopted the May 10 shots-fired case from CPD. Ballistics and witnesses identified Harris.
When Harris was taken into custody, he was in possession of a bag containing a pistol. Ballistic testing determined this was the same gun used in both nightclub shootings. Harris is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a prior conviction in 2014, for which he is currently on probation.
“These senseless nightclub shootings demonstrate how alcohol and guns can be a deadly combination,” Sheriff Lott.
Harris is charged with two counts of Aggravated Breach of Peace and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by Person Convicted of Violent Offense. He was booked at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center and granted surety bond. At this time, he is still detained.
