Authorities have arrested and charged three people in connection with the murder of Steven Harris IV, a 20-year-old Southern University student from St. Francisville, Louisiana. Harris, who vanished on July 17, 2024, was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds in Wilkinson County, Mississippi, five days later.
A criminal justice student in his sophomore year, Harris was known and admired for his participation in Southern University’s renowned marching band, the Human Jukebox.
The accused, Derek Terrell Hollins Jr., 21, and Calajia Jack, 20, both from St. Francisville, Louisiana, along with Allyah Martin, 21, from Zachary, Louisiana, are facing first-degree murder charges in Wilkinson County. They have also been charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana.
On July 18, Harris was scheduled to attend a custody hearing, but he didn’t return home, which led to his family reporting him missing. He was in a custody dispute with Allyah Martin, the mother of his nearly two-year-old son, with whom he was co-parenting. His family became alarmed when he didn’t appear for the hearing.
LaSonia Harris, Steven Harris IV’s mother, expressed deep grief and bewilderment over the tragic death of her son. She described being overwhelmed by the circumstances, perceiving them as a deliberate act to cause harm to her and her family. She expressed a range of feelings, including anger and pain, asserting that her son’s death was needless and preventable.
According to investigators, the suspects allegedly lured Harris to Mississippi, where he was subsequently shot and killed. Sheriff Brian Spillman noted that evidence suggests the murder was planned in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, although Mississippi authorities are handling the charges as the crime was executed there.
Authorities have confirmed that Derek Hollins Jr. used a modified Glock handgun, capable of firing fully automatically, to kill Harris. Hollins admitted that the firearm used in the crime was his.
The case has garnered considerable attention, primarily because of Allyah Martin’s alleged involvement in the murder plot. Reports suggest that Harris and Martin had taken out several restraining orders against each other prior to the custody hearing, implying a tense relationship.
At the time of their arrests, the three suspects, Hollins, Jack, and Martin, were in custody at the West Feliciana Parish Jail in Louisiana, awaiting extradition to Mississippi. The set bonds were $450,000 for Hollins, $365,000 for Jack, and $350,000 for Martin.
The investigation continues, with authorities urging anyone with additional information to come forward. Deputy OJ Packnett offered his sympathies, recognizing the gravity of the incident and expressing his condolences to Harris’s family.
Southern University has also extended its condolences to the loved ones of Steven Harris. The marching band department acknowledged his talent and dedication, stating that his zeal, kindness, and musical passion made him a cherished member of their community.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Harris’s family and the community remain focused on seeking justice for the lost young life. The family has established a GoFundMe page to cover funeral costs and support their son.
