A convicted felon on probation is charged with aggravated assault for purposefully injuring Hermitage Precinct Officer Rob Morris this morning.
Officers were in the 800 block of Lewis Street at 9 a.m. attempting to serve an outstanding robbery warrant when Officer Morris noticed Leroy Harris, 20, lying down in the driver’s seat of a late-model Pontiac Grand Prix. Officer Morris knocked on the car window several times to check on Harris’ welfare. Harris, who had not been moving, unrolled his window. Officer Morris detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the car and asked for Harris’ license. As Officer Morris walked back to his patrol car with the license, Harris began to get out of his car.
Officer Morris stepped towards Harris and told him to remain in the car. Harris shoved the officer. Officer Morris grabbed onto the car door to retain his balance. Harris, using all of his body weight, slammed the locked door shut on Officer Morris’ right hand. Officer Morris pleaded with Harris to unlock the door so he could free his hand, but instead, Harris tossed the keys into a grassy area.
Officers Ken Mahoney, Cindy Huffines, and Cedric Connolly rushed to Morris’ assistance. Officer Connolly broke the car window and freed his colleague. Officers Mahoney, Huffines, and Connolly then teamed to arrest Harris, who attempted to flee on foot, but was captured a short distance from his car. Seized in a subsequent search of the Grand Prix were 123 grams of marijuana.
Officer Morris was treated and released for neck and hand injuries from Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Fortunately, no bones were broken.
Harris is charged with aggravated assault, possession of marijuana for resale, resisting arrest, and trespassing. He is being held in lieu of $80,000 bond.
Harris is on probation for aggravated assault.
Leroy Harris
###
Disclaimer: These links are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department of any of the products, services or opinions of the corporation or organization or individual. The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.
Send questions or comments about this site to webmaster@police.nashville.org
