A Mississippi teenager will spend 15 years in prison for stealing another teenager’s shoes at gunpoint.
Officials report that Shunquez Harris, 17, pled guilty to strong-arm robbery in Madison County Court on Monday. He will spend the full duration of his sentence in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
On Oct. 11, 2024, the Canton Police Department received a call from a concerned mother and her 17-year-old son. The unidentified mother stated that her son had been robbed of his shoes while in a gas station. Officers were able to obtain surveillance of the suspect entering the store behind the victim, flashing a handgun at the victim, and the victim taking off his shoes and handing them to the suspect.
Police recognized Harris in the video from previous dealings with him. The victim then confirmed to authorities that Harris was the person who robbed him. Harris later fessed up to the robbery to investigators.
Harris initially looked to take his case to trial, but ultimately changed his mind and entered a guilty plea after potential jurors were examined. The state dismissed another armed robbery indictment against Harris as part of the plea, due to the victim moving out of Mississippi.
“Please let this case put all young people on notice in Madison and Rankin counties: I do not care how old you are. If you commit crimes with a firearm in my district, I have original jurisdiction over your case,” District Attorney Bubba Bramlett said. “You will be indicted as an adult, and you will face prison time. This teenager lost the next 15 years of his life over a pair of tennis shoes. I will not stand for senseless acts of violence against the citizens of Madison and Rankin counties.”
