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Arrest Made In Early Morning Beach Murder
June 18, 2013
An arrest has been made in an early Tuesday morning Pensacola Beach homicide.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has charged 20-year old Damarcus “Smiling Gangsta” Jenkins with second degree murder in the shooting death of 34-year old Michael Leslie Harris of Milton.
At about 3:45 a.m. the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shots fired disturbance at Casino Beach. Investigators said Harris was shot multiple times by Jenkins, including at least once after he fell to the ground. The shooting happened after Jenkins witnessed Harris fighting with a female believed to be his girlfriend, but they say the shooting was after the fight was over.
Deputies found Harris not far from the iconic beach ball water tower, dead with gunshot wounds to his upper torso. Investigators spent the next several hours combing the beach for clues.
Tuesday afternoon, investigators said they were seeking four persons of interest for questioning in the shooting. Jenkins was one of those four people. The other three persons were located and questioned, but were not charged with any crime as of Tuesday night.
Anyone with any information regarding the shooting is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9630 or Gulf Coast Crimestoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Comments
53 Responses to “Arrest Made In Early Morning Beach Murder”
I miss you every day Michael. I wish you were here. Mom misses you too. So much. I love you
just for those of you questioning why Michael was where he was at what time…. It was my birthday and we were celebrating my birthday. I had had a really rough day, was pretty sick, decided I didn’t want a party so instead just a few of us went to hang out on the beach. also… yes the argument had already ended. Michael took my sister to find a place to go pee before we headed home (since the public bathrooms had already been locked). that is when that sorry bastard Demarcus Rayon Jenkins MURDERED Michael ” My Brother”.
REGARDING:
“To david it would only be a hate crime if the role was reversed.”
Dear citizen, now wasn’t that a silly thing to say? When have I ever declared anything a hate crime just because it was a white person shooting a black person? Or was one of them gay and the other didn’t like gays? Or was one of them Jewish and the other didn’t like Jews? I’m assuming you think it should be charged as a hate crime based on race, but don’t really know at this time.
Tell us more.
Some even believe it was a gentleman defending a damsel in distress out of chivalry, apparently thinking even verbal arguments required intervention — or else assuming the reported fight was with fists and knives. I don’t know and would be silly to decide so.
David for better people,
slower on the draw
or at least slower to draw conclusions
Doubledip really? You mean to tell me that only losers and boozers use Pensacola Beach? You have been in the woods so long you have lost touch with reality? That would be like me saying that nothing but methheads live in the rural areas.
I agree with Tim.
To david it would only be a hate crime if the role was reversed.
Well, one thing is for sure, he won’t beat up on anymore women….I wouldn’t call this murder more vigilante thing.
This man should have just let the couple fight he is ruined now for helping someone he ain’t even a hero he’s a zero.
So much about the what and why, nothing about the quick arrest. Kudo’s to the Leo’s for quickly apprehending the suspect.
Like I’ve said for many years, 2 types of people cross that big bridge, Boozers and Losers.
I’ll stay up here in the these wood’s, Thank You.
To be sure, we don’t know all the details, and we also don’t know whose statement it was that the altercation was over when the shooting occurred. I hope we’re not all assuming guilt (note the use of the word “murder” instead of “shooting”) because of the race of the accused. Let’s see what the evidence says. It could have been the victim physically overwhelmed the shooter and he had to use deadly force at that point. We just don’t know.
REGARDING:
“By all means I understand stepping up and stopping an argument when/if it is possibly getting physical when its between a man and women ( again we do not know the details)”
True, we don’t know, can only speculate. One thing which was reported thought was:
“The shooting happened after Jenkins witnessed Harris fighting with a female believed to be his girlfriend, but they say the shooting was after the fight was over.”
So that indicates to us that it was not in defense of another since it happened after the fight was over.
David for fewer fights, fewer idiots (him, not you)
I carry a gun because a police officer is to heavy!!
REGARDING:
“First of all why was he carrying a gun….cause he was looking for trouble.”
He was carrying a gun in case he felt the need to shoot anyone.
Why else does any ever carry a gun?
“ Also why is this not treated as a hate crime..”
At this point there is not enough information to say, nor would it come into play before considering sentencing if convicted. Do you think every crime should be treated as a hate crime if the perpetrator and the victim weren’t identical twins?
David for reason
I don’t know how many officers or deputies were on the beach or at the Circle-K; but I do know this: If I am a business owner and I am paying off-duty cops for security then I would expect them to be where I pay them to be and nowhere else. When they are on the taxpayers dime during normal duty hours, then I would expect them to patrol their normal patrol area. But when they are on MY dime then they should patrol where I want them to patrol, not the business next door, not the parking lot across the street, not the beach down the road, but the place I’m paying them to be. One could argue that they are using equipment paid for by taxpayers, but I’m also a taxpayer, and I’m renting that equipment and paying the officer’s salary out of my pocket at that point. They are essentially private security. I’m sure if they see a crime in progress at another location, they would respond in the appropriate manner; but they should not be out looking for crime at any location except where I’m paying them to look for crime.
Are you “SMILING” now Damarcus? Justice will be served on you!!
There is no need to walk in fear in these uncertain times. I would encourage everyone who/whom meet/s the criteria to apply for a Concealed Carry Permit and become proficient with the weapon they feel comfortable with.
I find this era we live in to be exciting and would encourage citizens to approach it with a sense of adventure. Even though it is now hot summer time, there are garments and accessories that will facilitate concealed carry.
You would be amazed at what a 6FT 4IN, 230lb man can tuck away for the unexpected.
@watchdog and everyone else that agrees with his ridiculous post and ideas, there were no deputies working side jobs on the beach at that time of night. Deputies working side jobs all go home around 0230 and there’s not many if any on week nights other than Fridays. There were only two deputies working at the time of the shooting that had to cover the entire beach and did you ever ask yourself maybe they were busy on another call. Unless your doing something to help the situation your have no right to gripe about it, so watchdog and your followers give George Stone a call and sign up maybe you’ll be the next super cop that prevents all crime. To all of you that have opposed the watch poodle thank you for standing up for us in this thankless job that we love so much!!!
I see that a lot of people have had an opinion to share… so I thought I would share mine as well… for whatever it is worth. I wont change the series of events that took place. I too share some of the views already mentioned but in a different way. everyone wants to point fingers in different directions.
No one has mentioned the shooter… why is it that he felt it was HIS PLACE to take matters into his hands and do justice??? Who is he ???? By all means I understand stepping up and stopping an argument when/if it is possibly getting physical when its between a man and women ( again we do not know the details). But taking killing the guy?…. that was a bit much! he does not get the option to be judge, jury and prosecutioner…. now that shooter will have his own trail.
But I do agree if there was a “agrument” between the couple going one to whatever degree if the beach would have being patroled… the couple might have been stopped and quested as to what in the world they were doing, the lady asked if she was ok. And find out what on God’s green eearth they were doing out there at that time. And maybe that would have done enough to detour them to go home and this would not even be a story we would be talking about.
One comment mentioned about the parents these days and their responsibility to teach their children that violence is not the answer. I agree 110%. I too have 2 boys along with 1 daughter. we as a society cannot continue to glorify UFC fighting, You tube vidoes of fights between studes etc. we are sending the wrong message to the young, who then grow up to be the 20 year olds on the beach at 3:45am who think it is their right to take justice into their own hands. Not to mention if we raise are children with a loving touch they would not be out on the beach arguing with their significant other at those times others.
@marny, this isn’t the 70-80’s anymore, this is the new millennium, God has been or is being taken out of everything but our money. Government is failing and spying on everyone, terrorists are terrorizing to keep every thing emotional and stirred up.
Local rivers aren’t family safe like they once were, beaches aren’t family safe. You have meth heads, pillbillies and dopers at all those locations. The majority no longer know how to be civilized in public and carry themselves with a certain respect for their fellow man.
Hey i got an idea maybe we should pass a handgun law that says no one under 21 is allowed to have a conceled handgun. Opps forgot we already have one. Prayers for all the familys involved
First of all why was he carrying a gun….cause he was looking for trouble. And who was he to get into there argument. To me they was there for one thing and they done what they set out to do. But they didnt think they would get caught. Also why is this not treated as a hate crime..”racism”..like the Zimmerman case. Praying for the Harris family.
What happens to the good ole 80’s.. this beach is nothing like it was. Matter of fact this world isn’t the same. Morals have been squashed…very sad…
The man shooting the gun is to blame. Period.
As many (but not enough) have said, the ECSO cannot be everywhere. With the amount of scumbags in this county, thier hands are no doubt full. How about we put the blame where it belongs—thugs. Too bad this man had to die but given the company he was mixed up with and it was 3:45 AM, it’s looking like there is more to the story. I’m always concerned that even as Pensacola tries to move in a positive direction, the thug and scumbag elements will continue to drag us down. Stay after it ECSO!
It would be ignorant to suppose that the officers COULD be everywhere all the time. Nor am I suggesting that the officers that are paid to stand at the Circle K shouldn’t stay there MOST of the time. But even from a business perspective, the officers for the convenience store remaining there in droves is not going to help much of anything else. Perhaps SOME people feel that the taxpayers aren’t paying enough to ensure that the rest of the beach is somewhat cared for, but I digress. I just think that perhaps if the Circle K folks were actually worried about safety, they wouldn’t whine much if a couple of the multitude of officers they are paying to drink all their coffee and watch the girls in bikinis were to perhaps make their time ACTUALLY worthwhile and patrol the rest of the area a little. Seriously. Common sense says that if there isn’t enough officers to go around, but this guy over here has more than he needs, it should be part of their civic duty to try and do something else. Especially at 3:00 am. I’m not even suggesting that it could have helped the situation. BUT I am suggesting that perhaps this should go to testify that there is need for additional security and if the state is too cheap to do it, then sparing a couple of officers for quick patrols is certainly not going to kill the over-policed Circle K.
A previous comment states that the officers sitting at the circle k are hired by private business on the BOARWALK, yet when I go to the beach at night the cops are hardly ever ON or PATROLLING the BOARDWALK. They are ALWAYS posted up inte parking lot, chit chatting. But that’s neither here nor there. At 3:45 in the morning NOTHING is open on the boardwalk not even the PUBLIC restrooms!!!! So I’m curious as to where ANY of the police were during this guys argument with his girlfriend or when this group of guys were just hanging around???
crime prevention is “not” the job of the police officer, their job is to investigate crime and help punish those responsible for it………crime prevention is the responsibility of the individual, the citizen, the person, or the people ………not to commit crime in the first place……….with names like these , did you expect any different????
There’s a reason we don’t go to the boardwalk anymore! That right there.
I haven’t seen the circle K on the beach with officers inside of it at all times.. I’ve been working on the beach for the past few months and don’t remember see’ing one in there at all.. Matter of fact around 10:30 last night they had some crazy guy in there, ripping open bags of chips and stuffing them in his face, then went tot he slush machines to run his hands in, and etc..
no offense to anyone on here…but shouldn’t the blame go to the guy that was out at that time of the morning to begin with? i realize that we should be able to roam, a free country (so far), and all that…but he put himsellf in a bad position. also, the entire story has not yet been told. as to the deputies…what would everyone be talking about if they were patrolling the parking lot and the circle k was robbed and someone was killed…actually, how about they were at six different places but the seventh is where the murder happened? man, love it when people don’t think.
From what I’m reading – and I’m sure you will correct me if I am not understanding what you meant to say – someone on here feels that even if the Circle K pays off-duty officers to stay at their location and perhaps they pay 6 off-duty officers to protect them – that the other 4 off-duty officers that are being paid for security by Circle K should not stay at their post? Yes crime prevention is a responsibility of the sheriff’s office. Do we know if they had talked with the group of people and given them time to disperse or can they do that if no one at that moment is causing trouble? It should not have happened – I agree with everyone about that. But no one can be in every spot at every moment – not even the deputies.
What can you say..post Ivan,Katrina we all have to turn a blind eye to our new neighbors.Oh and remember,when seconds count the police are only minutes away!
concealed carry a .45 and you’ll be fine…………..
Now I am sorry, but I have to agree with WatchDog. There is no point in their presence if they aren’t patrolling or paying attention to what is going on. Even if they ARE keeping the Circle K from being robbed, they are NOT keeping anyone else safe. At tops, there should only be about 2 cops at that Circle K. The rest should be patrolling. I understand the Patriots point, however, regardless of whether they are privately paid or not, being a cop is their job and they have a duty to the public regardless of the REASON they are there.
Watchdog my only question is how about where they were patrolling? You want them to circle the parking lot all night long???
WOW. Too bad these guys couldn’t have been out there smoking a joint, then the cops would have been all over them! Cops are a lot like water, they look for the point of least resistance.
your logic that crime prevention is not the responsibility of the ECSO is absurd.
What??? Don’t take my comment out of context. Unfortunately we continue in a Generation that has never been taught nor will take personal responsibilty and use common sense before making decisions. Therefore we have a need for Law Enforcement. But to say that Crime Prevention lies solely in the hands of Law Enforcment is ignorant. How about we as Parents begin teaching our kids to respect others and to think before they act.
Listen to this logic.
I was in the Cervantes Dollar General a few months back when I observed a mother and apperently her to young sons walk into the store. As they walked in the 2 boys possibly 6 to 8 years of age began fighting (not arguing) in the front aisle of the store. Mom, now about 10 feet in front of them pushing the buggie turns and says ” yall get your ##sses up here.
I couldn’t help but think to myself. Maybe Mom should have taken the 2 boys to the restroom and discouraged them from in the future, using violence to settle there disputes. And since she didn’t I have to assume that one day these 2 will be adults roaming the streets (Possibly at 3AM) using violence to get what they want out of life because they didn’t learn to respect others when they were children.
Sounds like your part of the problem watchdog. Just like most of society today, blame everyone else except for the criminal that pulled the trigger. Responsibilty falls one that person and no one else.
After 2 there should be no one on the beach What is open after that ??
Isn’t there like a police substation literally 200 yards from this location? And yet a 17 year old is permitted to “hang out” at 3 o’ clock in the morning. I’m with Watchdog on this one, cops should have intervened before this ever happened right under their noses.
Keith I agree with you that Law enforcement officers cannot prevent all crimes from happening, however, your logic that crime prevention is not the responsibility of the ECSO is absurd. It’s exactely what they are paid to do… The beach is only 2-3 miles in two direction and casino is right in the middle. I’m simply stating that had the parking lot been patrolled a little tradedy could of been prevented. We’re talking about a rather large group of thugs at 4 am in a well lot parking lot.
Well said Keith!
Hey Watchdog, I have a better thought for you. How about the murderers and trouble makers go kill each other and stay off the Beach all together. Law enforcement cannot cover every square foot of an area last I checked. I would assume these trouble making criminals new that also wouldn’t you think. I am not Law Enforcement, but I hate to hear how they are somehow responsible (to any degree) for the crime problem in Escambia Cty. Our crime problem is because we have criminals in Escambia Cty, not because Law Enforcement doesn’t do their jobs. I assume you watch to many TV programs or maybe you lend your ears to hip hop music that depicts Law Enforcement as Corrupt and Ignorant and you allow the ignorant entertainment industry to dictate your opinion of such agencies. Picture this world if we had no one willing to Serve & Protect.
Well said, Patriot!
Hey patriot … The beach is not swarming with people on a Tuesday morning at 345 am. How about making a drive or walk through of the parking lots and talking to the people that are hanging out at almost 4 in the morning. That small amout of officer presence is what prevents crime. We are talking casino beach parking lot. It’s in the heart of the beach….
Watchdog,
The “circle jerk” you refer to is deputies, hired by private businesses, to provide security for boardwalk businesses. Their job, essentially, is to stand at the boardwalk and provide presence. (Hey, isn’t that where Circle K is?)
Maybe you can share your vast knowledge of crime prevention, and enlighten us on how exactly, YOU would prevent a shooting on the beach at 3:00am?
Prayers for his family.
I rarely go to the beach in the evening anymore because of the dirtbag presence. The deputies are all usually having a big circle jerk at the Circle K; instead of walking around patrolling. The sheriffs office can’t keep 6 square miles safe for tourist and families. What a shame.
Momma always said nothing good ever happens after midnight. Week night 3:45am. Should have been home in bed. Prayers for the family,nad they capture the shooter. Scarry to think he is loose!
“Can’t even go to the beach anymore without being paranoid. It’s a shame what people will do these days.”
Cool your paranoia, there, JV. Just don’t go to the beach at 3:45 am and you should be OK.
Henry Coe, Yes there is and ??????
Isn’t there an ECSO substation about 100 yards from that location?
First a stabbing and now a shooting in that parking lot.. I work out there and have always used common sense about being safe but really out of habit not because I’ve ever felt unsafe.. Not so much anymore..
Can’t even go to the beach anymore without being paranoid. It’s a shame what people will do these days.