Father says medical examiner told him Major Harris, 3, was shot in head
'Please pray for all of our families and that justice is served,' family of dead boy, mother says
'Please pray for all of our families and that justice is served,' family of dead boy, mother says
'Please pray for all of our families and that justice is served,' family of dead boy, mother says
The father of 3-year-old Major Harris said Friday the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office told him his son was shot in the head.
The medical examiner's office later tweeted confirming the cause of death and ruled Major's death a homicide.
"My plea, not even to the community, to the world, I need justice for my son," Carlton Harris said.
Harris said he plans to bury his son with his mother.
Harris criticized the Milwaukee Police Department and asked people to "pray for this city."
Family members raised multiple questions about the timing of the search for the boy.
"Ya'll should have been knocking of doors the day he came up missing," Carlton Harris said.
Police and community groups searched neighborhoods, parks, trash cans, garbage trucks, and a tow lot this week for the boy.
During a search near 35th and Center streets Thursday, police said a tip led them 3 miles away to 35th Street and Rohr Avenue, where Major's body was found in a storage container.
Police issued an Amber Alert on Saturday, two days after finding Major's mother, Mallery Muenzenberger shot to death behind a home.
On Sunday, they moved in on the suspect near 41st and Custer streets.
Jaheem Clark, who the medical examiner's office said died from a gunshot wound to the head.
His death was ruled a suicide.
On Monday, officers found Muenzenberger's vehicle parked behind a laundromat.
The SUV had blood inside and WISN 12 learned when someone dropped it off Saturday, they went inside to wash clothes.
The location was one mile from where police found Major's body Thursday.
"This is an epic fail," Carlton Harris said.
The Milwaukee Police Department responded to WISN 12 saying, "The Milwaukee Police Department appreciates that the family is experiencing unimaginable grief. We continue to send our sincere condolences to everyone that was impacted by the tragic death of Major Harris and Mallery Muenzenberger. MPD has worked tirelessly over the past week to locate Major and to ensure that justice is rendered to the victims of this horrific incident, and that investigation remains ongoing."
Police still don't know who killed Major or when and why and what brought mom and son from the La Crosse area to Milwaukee.
Earlier in the day, Muenzenberger's family released another statement after learning of the death of the 3-year-old boy:
"On behalf of the family of Mallery M. Muenzenberger and Major Harris we again want to thank everyone who has helped in the search. We also want you all to know how much your thoughts and prayers have touched us. Our family is heartbroken and devastated beyond belief. We had so much hope for the return of our beautiful Major, that was shattered yesterday. We have been left with so many unanswered questions. Major's grandparents (Mallery’s father and step- mother) are holding to their last few memories of the time spent together before this horrible tragedy began to unfold. Major was with his grandparent’s helping harvest the garden, gather eggs from the chickens and go fishing. Mallery’s last words to her father were, 'I love you Dad.'
"Our wishes are to have them buried together. One of Mallery's favorite songs was 'In Arms of the Angel' by Sarah McLachlan. Our hope is our two angels rest in peace together.
"The outpouring from the community both in the La Crosse area and Milwaukee has been tremendous and appreciated. Please pray for all of our families and that justice is served for those involved in this heinous tragedy."
Police told WISN 12 no new arrests have been made since finding Major dead on Thursday.
Of the six people arrested related to his mother's killing, two men remain in custody, but no charges have been filed yet.
They are acquaintances and relatives of Clark, who police named as the primary suspect in Muenzenberger's death.
When asked Friday, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said he's "devastated" by the 3-year-old's death.
"It is particularly heartbreaking when you see what happened here. Not only has the family experienced a horrific loss and unbelievable loss but the frustration and the anger that comes from not knowing for an extended period of time," Barrett said.