UPDATE: Suspect Turns Self In

Cooper

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — A shooting suspect turns himself in.

Columbus Police say 20-year-old Randall Cooper Jr. turned himself in at about 10:30 p.m. Friday to face murder charges.

He is accused of shooting 23-year-old Virgil Harris multiple times as Harris got out of a car in front of a home near the intersection of 21st Street and Third Avenue North at about 1:20 Friday morning.

Coroner Greg Merchant says Harris died on the way to Baptist Golden triangle Hospital.

Cooper and Harris were passengers in a car driven by a woman.

Police say they don’t have a motive. Cooper’s initial appearance in municipal court likely will be Monday.

PREVIOUS STORY

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) –Columbus police continue to search for a suspect in a fatal shooting Friday morning.

Randall Carl Cooper Jr., 20, is wanted for questioning in the death of 23-year-old Virgil Harris of Crawford at about 1:20 this morning.

Harris died en route to Baptist Golden Triangle Hospital after being shot several times in the head and chest as he got out of car in front of a home at the intersection of 21st Street and 3rd Avenue North in Columbus.

Police say Harris was a front seat passenger in a car driven by a woman and Cooper was in the back seat as the three drove from East Columbus to drop Harris off in the area where the shooting occurred.

When Harris started to get out, police say Cooper opened fire and continued firing as Harris stumbled to the pavement.

Cooper allegedly jumped behind the wheel as the woman checked on Harris and started to drive away. The woman dove in the back seat and Cooper abandoned the car two blocks away but took the car keys.

The woman found another set in her purse and drove back to the scene.

Cooper’s only prior record were misdemeanor arrests for alcohol-related offenses last year.

Anyone with information on Cooper is asked to call the Columbus Police  or Crime Stoppers 1-800-530-7151.