16-year-old soldier charged with murder of Fort Drum infantryman



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An Army soldier and a 16-year-old have been charged with killing an infantryman stationed at Fort Drum in New York.

Cpl. Hayden Harris, 20, was on his way to Watertown, New York, for a vehicle transaction, but authorities found him shot dead in a wooded area in Byram Township, NJ on December 19. The body was buried under the snow.

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The Sussex County Attorney’s Office, NJ, said the SCC. Jamaal Mellish, 23, and the unidentified young man have been charged with murder, kidnapping and other charges.

Mellish is in military custody in Oneida County, New York, awaiting extradition to New Jersey. The teenager is being held in a juvenile detention center.

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Mellish faces six counts, including first degree murder, kidnapping, illegal possession of a firearm and suppression of evidence. The minor faces four counts, including kidnapping, murder and illegal possession of a firearm.

Harris, from Guys, Tennessee, joined the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum in July 2019 after training at Fort Benning, Ga.

He served as an infantryman with the 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, but was promoted to corporal after his death. He was awarded two army medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the World War on Terrorism Service Medal, according to the 10th Mountain Division.

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“We are devastated,” Brig. General Brett Funck, acting commander of Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division, said in a statement at the time of Harris’ death.

“It was well known here that Corporal Harris was a great soldier, and as we share our grief with his friends and family, I hear again and again how he was also – and most importantly – a truly wonderful and caring person. death is a tremendous loss to his loved ones, this Division and our nation. “

According to the 10th Mountain Division, members of his unit reported his disappearance just hours after losing contact with him.

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Several police departments joined in the search for Harris after the military asked the public for help.

The investigation is ongoing. Officials are asking anyone with information about Harris’ death to contact Lt. Nicholas Elmo in the Sussex County District Attorney’s Office at (973) 383-1570 or Det. Robert Tierney with the Byram Township Police Department at (973) 347-4008.

Sam Dorman of The Associated Press and Fox News contributed to this report.

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