Prosperity (WLTX) -- Newberry County Sheriff's Deputies have arrested the stepson of Alphonzo Harris in connection with Harris's death Thursday in Prosperity.
Authorities say 20-year-old Markus Kibler, who lives at 748 Langford Street, initially called 911 to the house at 6:17 a.m. to report his stepfather had been shot. During the call, they say Kibler said he did not know who shot Harris.
Harris, who was 43 years old, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Details are limited at this time, but investigators say they found substantial evidence that linked Kibler to the crime. Kibler has a prior criminal record and was currently out on bond for an assault and battery with intent to kill charge from a 2007 shooting incident in Fairfield County.
"Alphonzo didn't deserve what he got. I'm not saying he's a saint, but he didn't deserve to have his life taken from him. He did not deserve this," explains Harris's stepbrother, Tony Suber.
Suber has looked out for his brother Alphonzo for as long as he can remember. "Me and him were real close, since we were kids. I'm his stepbrother, but for all intents and purposes, I'm his blood brother," he says.
Wednesday night was no exception. Over the past few months, Harris has had a hard time dealing with the loss of his wife to pneumonia earlier this year. "I was on my way to church when he called me and I made the decision on the fly to come and see what he needed. That's how I ended up here," Suber explains.
Suber was with Harris at the house last night talking until around 10:30. So, when he got the call Thursday morning that Harris was dead, the shock set in. Says Suber, "It just kinda - it bothers me. I don't really even know how I feel about it right now."
When officials got to the home that Harris shared with three others, he had already died. Says Johnson, "Immediately, our deputies taped off the residence as a crime scene and called for investigations to respond."
That crime tape was what separated Harris from his family for several hours today, as the reality of the situation slowly sank in. "My family's a large family and we're real close-knit," says Suber. "My niece graduates in three weeks, and he won't get to see her graduate. He won't get to see his grandkid grow up."
Though authorities have made an arrest, the case remains open. Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC. You can also email tips to www.sccrimestoppers.com or text information to TIPSC plus your message to CRIMES (274637).
5/15/2009 8:12:16 AM
