RICHMOND, Va. — Court documents obtained by CBS 6 revealed a carjacking suspect, possibly linked to a toddler's fatal shooting , was ordered to be placed on house arrest.
Antonio L. Harris, 21, has been arrested and charged in connection to a Friday night carjacking in the 2600 block of Berwyn Street.
Police said the carjacking could be connected to the Saturday afternoon fatal shooting of Sharmar Hill Jr.
The three-year-old boy was playing outside of his Hillside Court apartment when he was killed.
Harris was also arrested and charged for a November 2019 carjacking, according to court documents.
On December 5, Richmond General District Court judge granted Harris a $5,000 bond on condition he report to adult probation and be placed in a house electronic monitoring (HEM) program.
The HEM program is administered by the Richmond Department of Justice Services and “in partnership with the Richmond Sheriff's Office, HEM has a 24-hour surveillance capability,” according to their website.
A Department of Justice Services program manager then sent the courts a “Home Electronic Monitoring Report” on December 10.
The letter stated that Harris listed his mother as his residence for the HEM program, but she indicated he cannot live with her.
“Therefore, due to Mr. Harris not having a place to reside, he’s not eligible for the HEM program,” the letter stated.
The Richmond Sheriff’s Office confirmed Harris was released from their custody on Dec. 18.
The Sheriff’s Office then referred CBS 6 to the Department of Justice Services for comment. A voicemail left to the department’s director had not been returned as of Wednesday afternoon.
The Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office stated they could not comment on pending cases. A call to Harris’ attorney was not returned.
CBS 6 Legal Analyst Todd Stone analyzed the documents.
“It’s hard to tell just from these documents who, if anyone, made a mistake,” Stone explained. “But, if that’s a condition of his bond then he probably should not have been released until that was secured and in place. I’m sure this is something that will be investigated and looked at to determine whether there was a mistake made and who made it so it can be fixed in the future.”
A jury trial for the November carjacking charge is scheduled for June 17.
Toddler shot while playing outside
Sharmar Hill Jr. loved Spiderman and Catboy. His parents, Shaniqua Allen and Sharmar Hill Sr., nicknamed their son “Simba.”
They said their 14-year-old daughter picked up the injured toddler and rushed him inside. He was playing with his siblings when shots ran out on Southlawn Avenue in the Hillside Courts neighborhood.
“I got the call when I was at work,” Allen recalled. “I dropped everything and flew here. When I got there, they told me he was at MCV.”
The toddler was raced to VCU Medical Center where he died of his injuries.
"It’s just sickening… disgusting man. My own community… my own people,” said Hill Sr.
“My condolences go to everybody that have to experience this because I know this isn’t the first time. Coming as a father to have to experience this — we definitely need counseling.”
The family said they have asked RRHA to be moved to another apartment.
“I’m trying to make something for my family and trying to get them out of here,” said Hill, Sr. “I know it’s going to take some time. I can’t imagine having to live like this every day.”
Charles Willis, the executive director of United Communities Against Crime, has scheduled a candlelight prayer vigil for the 1700 block of Southlawn Avenue at 3 p.m. Saturday.
The boy’s homegoing celebration will be held Monday, Feb. 10, at 12:30 p.m. at New Life Deliverance Tabernacle on 900 Decatur Street.
