August 31st 2023.
Early Monday morning, a white man armed with a 12-gauge shotgun was spotted at the intersection of Duss Avenue and Fourth Street in Amherst, Pennsylvania. According to Ambridge Police Chief John DeLuca, the man, identified as Jeffrey Harris, was pointing the gun at two women. Alarmed, one of them quickly called the police and provided them with a description of the suspect.
The police were later joined by the Beaver County Regional Police Department in their search for Harris. When they were able to locate him in the 300 block of Merchant Street, they found the shotgun, ammunition, and crystal meth. Moreover, they noticed Harris had made preparations to create a standoff in his home, with the steps leading up to the residence having some sort of lubrication on them. In addition, a barrier had been set up, allowing Harris to fire at anyone entering the residence from cover.
The incident has caused much speculation due to the fact that the Greater Dominion Church, located nearby, is predominantly-Black. Some worried that Harris was attempting to enter the church to commit a hate crime. However, Chief DeLuca believes the incident was not racially motivated, but was instead due to Harris’s use of crystal meth and his mental state.
Pastor Kenneth Crumb of the Greater Dominion Church disagrees with the police's account. He expressed his confusion as to why the police never informed the church about the incident, as the police cars and bomb squad were present all around the church during their service.
Harris is now facing charges including attempted burglary, aggravated assault, and terrorist threats. His bond was set at $975,000, and a hearing is scheduled for September 5. In the wake of this incident, the King Family has reaffirmed Dr. King's message after a hate crime in Jacksonville.
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