Man arrested, charged in Dec. 3 double homicide on Phenix City Riverwalk

Phenix City police have made an arrest in a Dec. 3 double homicide on the Phenix City Riverwalk.

Damon Daniels Jr., age 29, of Phenix City was arrested on Emerson Avenue in Columbus on charges of capital murder, illegal possession of a firearm and two felony probation violation warrants in connection with the killings of John Arthur Burkus and Darrelyn “Darren” Harris, according to a press release.

The two victims were originally found around 2 p.m. on Dec. 3 behind the 600 block of Riverview Apartments just north of the Troy University campus, according to Phenix City Police.

Phenix City Police asked the public for help in locating a person of interest in a Dec. 5 press conference who was wearing a blue hoodie with white writing on the back, khaki pants and black tennis shoes.

Captain Darrell “Skip” Lassiter Jr. of the Phenix City Police Department said Daniels was the individual identified as a person of interest. He was arrested by the U.S Marshals Gulf Coast Task Force, according to the release.

This story was originally published December 9, 2022 at 2:45 PM.

Kelby Hutchison

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Kelby Hutchison is the breaking news reporter for the Ledger-Enquirer. Originally from Dothan, Alabama, Kelby grew up frequently visiting Columbus to eat at Country’s BBQ in the old Greyhound bus station and at Clearview BBQ on River Road. He graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.A. in criminal justice and a M.A. in journalism. During his studies, Kelby specialized in community journalism.