A dispute over one individual not holding an elevator for another escalated to a shooting that killed a 29-year-old Sunday morning.
"It’s like right now, it’s like I’m in a dream and I’m having problems waking up from that dream," said Rosalind Hearst, the man's mother.
Hearst is living a nightmare and still coming to terms with the murder of her son Ariel Harris, gunned down at a party at the International Banquet Center in Greektown early Sunday morning.
"On the video he steps back out of the elevator to see what he did, and then got back on the elevator, went about his business - like he hadn’t done anything at all," she said. "Like you have no conscience, you don’t have a heart."
Detroit police released video and pictures of Gayelon Spencer, the suspected gunman. Police say Harris was shot after an argument over holding an elevator. The suspect was reportedly upset that Harris allowed a group of women on first.
"My son was just being a gentleman, letting the females get on the elevator first. And you kill him over that?" she said.
Harris was shot in front of the mother of his children and his younger brother.
"He is handling this so hard," she said. "So hard. He had to carry his brother out (of) the building and the police put him in the backseat of the police car while he’s holding his brother, talking to him, trying to keep him talking."
Officers rushed Harris to Detroit Receiving Hospital where he later died.
Harris is described as a hardworking Detroiter, barber, and above all, a devoted father.
He leaves behind two sons - 9 and 3 years old.
"His sons they are his world, he loves his family," she said.
Police are actively investigating the shooting and searching for Spencer.
Harris’ family wants him to come forward.
"I just really wish and hope he has a little compassion," she said. "Turn yourself in. Turn yourself in, because you have hurt so many people."
Anyone with information is asked to call the Detroit Police Department’s Homicide investigators at 313-596-2260 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
The beloved husband was transported to Detroit Receiving Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police say Harris and the man exchanged words before a weapon was fired. Detectives used surveillance footage to identify the suspected gunman as Gayelon Spencer. He has yet to be arrested.
The grief-stricken mother pleaded: “Mother to mother, I know you’ve seen your son’s face on the news, on social media. Please have your son turn himself in.”
In a Nov. 28 Facebook post, Hearst expressed just how heartbroken she’s been since her son’s passing. “I’m in so much pain, y’all, my back [and] neck [are] killing me. Y’all, this coward has taken my son away from his [two] sons, brothers, sisters, grandma, [two] baby mamas, father, [and] a host of family [and] friends. This is just not real, y’all. My son didn’t deserve to go this way,” she wrote.
Heart accompanied the post with numerous photos, including those with him alongside his sons and loved ones. Anyone with information on Spencer’s whereabouts should contact the Detroit Police Department’s homicide investigators at 313-596-2260 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
Those who were close to Ariel Harris called him Ace. Cameron Harris says his brother invited him out to a party in Greektown. He says they were both on the fence but ultimately decided to go.
It was a good time. They were vibing, according to Cameron Harris.
He says they went to leave, and Ace was holding the elevator for a group of women. Cameron Harris says another man was trying to push through to get on first.
"All he said is, 'I am about to get on this elevator. I don't care what nobody says,'" Cameron Harris recalled. "I'm thinking we're about to fight. In the midst, I just see this guy turn around and turn toward my brother."
Within seconds, Cameron Harris says Ace dropped to the ground. He had been shot. Cameron Harris says he and some Detroit Police Department officers drove him to the hospital in a cop car.
"I am just laying my face against my brother's face and I am saying, 'Stay up for your kids, bro. Just stay up,'" Cameron Harris said. "Like, 'You're breathing. Just stay.' And I really thought he was going to make it."
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