Man killed in front of his three kids was shot execution-style, Columbus police say

The man who was killed Aug. 22 in front of his three children was shot execution-style, according to testimony Tuesday in Columbus Recorder’s Court.

Brandon Senior, 31, pleaded not guilty to murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. He was ordered held without bond in the Muscogee County Jail.

Judge Julius Hunter bound the case over to Superior Court.

Columbus police were called to the 3600 block of Fourth Avenue around 10:35 a.m. Aug. 22 to investigate a shooting. They found 33-year-old Tamir Harris suffering from one gunshot wound.

He was pronounced dead on the scene about 30 minutes later, officials said.

Sgt. Lance Deaton said Harris was speaking with a group of young women when he was killed.

Brittany Moody, the mother of three of Harris’ children, told the Ledger-Enqurier on Aug. 23 that she witnessed the shooting along with three of Harris’ 12 kids.

She said Harris was standing outside speaking with her mother as his 2-year-old stood by his side. She said she sat in the backseat of the car with her 1-year-old daughter.

Harris’ friend sat in another car with Harris’ 11-month-old baby, according to Moody’s account of the incident.

“While he was leaning over the car and having a conversation with these young ladies, Mr. Senior walks up behind him,” Deaton testified. “He puts a gun close to his head, fires one round and kills him on the spot.”

Moody, who is also pregnant with Harris’ child, said the suspect aimed the weapon at her and her family when she tried to get the young boy to safety.

Deaton said Senior didn’t leave immediately after the incident.

“He just kind of hangs around for a little bit,” he said. “After he hangs around for a little bit, then he leaves the scene.”

Moody said Senior then walked away as if he didn’t care about taking Harris’ life in front of his children.

“He walked off like he didn’t give a d--n,” Moody said as she struggled to hold back tears. “The way he looked at my baby daddy when he shot him, I couldn’t believe it.”

Authorities were on the scene investigating the death when they received information about a man by the nickname of “Chip” who was involved in the shooting. They were told that he had barricaded himself in an apartment in the 3200 block of Fourth Avenue.

Senior, who was later identified as “Chip,” was apprehended after a standoff at the apartment. Police located a firearm in the residence that’s of the same caliber of the weapon used in the killing.

This story was originally published August 29, 2017 at 3:52 PM with the headline "Man killed in front of his three kids was shot execution-style, Columbus police say."