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Name:
Harris, Laquise Shamore
Date of Booking:
02/17/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT – F
BATTERY-FAMILY VIOLENCE-SUBSEQUENT CONVICTION OR PRIOR FORCIBLE FELONY CONVICTION – M
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On February 17th, 2026, at approximately 12:01 hours, I responded to a domestic disturbance call at 5450 Augusta Road, Room [REDACTED] (InTown Suites). The call notes indicated the complainant [WITNESS #1] was reporting banging noises and yelling coming from the room.
When I arrived on scene, I observed the [VICTIM #1] standing in the breezeway near the room, motioning with her hands to come to her. I also observed Laquise Harris walking with items towards a black sedan in the parking lot. Ms. [VICTIM #1] indicated she and Mr. Harris were the individuals in need of police.
Ofc. Stoklosa and I stopped Mr. Harris who was resistant to speaking with us. We informed him we were investigating a possible instance of domestic violence, and we needed him to remain on scene. He began cursing and acting disorderly, yelling vulgar words across the parking lot to Ms. [VICTIM #1]. I tried to determine the relationship between Mr. Harris and Ms. [VICTIM #1] after he referred to the juveniles in their room as his “step kids”. Mr. Harris explained they had been dating for about six months and she lived with him previously in Augusta, Ga but he said she came back because his “money got low”.
Immediately upon approaching Ms. [VICTIM #1] I observed redness in her skin around her neck and throat. Ms. [VICTIM #1] began explaining she and Mr. Harris were arguing because he told her to stop working and stay home with the children so he could work as a door dasher. She said he kept telling her not to disrespect him and went on to explain they had been staying in the room together. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated he tried to block her from movement at the bathroom door and threw a clothes basket at her while she was on the bed. When she stopped, I asked her if any physical contact had occurred.
As this question was asked, Ms. [VICTIM #1] changed her facial expression, leading me to believe something had happened and she was hesitant to speak about it. She started by saying “I don’t want him to go to jail, but it did get physical”. She started pointing to her neck, and I asked if the red marks on her neck were a natural skin color for her, and she responded, “I turn red easily”. She explained “I was on the phone with his mom, and I did call him by his name at that point and he just, you know, choked me on the bed”.
She stated she elbowed him to try to get him off of her. She stated he used one hand and was holding her down. I then asked her for her ID and accompanied her to the entrance of her room, which was disheveled with many items throughout and showed obvious signs they were not just staying the night, but were living together at the hotel.
I then returned to Mr. Harris and asked if the altercation was strictly verbal or if things got physical. Mr. Harris claimed she pushed him, and there was one point where she was on the phone with his mother and they “bumped chest” a little bit, but he didn’t want her to get in trouble. I asked if at any point in time he placed one or both of his hands around her throat, and he replied “no, I didn’t touch her”. I asked about the red marks on her neck and he said she grabbed his hair and he placed his forearm up against her and they fell over. He said he grabbed Ms. [VICTIM #1] by the shirt, motioning with both hands in a closed grip.
After listening to Mr. Harris explain, I determined his account of how the red marks got on Ms. [VICTIM #1]’ neck was not consistent with the physical I marks I observed. I then placed Mr. Harris in hand restraints, checked for fit with double locks engaged, with the assistance of Ofc. Stoklosa. I informed him he was being detained, pending the outcome of the investigation. Mr. Harris wanted to show me a video on his phone and I watched it to make sure I did not miss any evidence which would contradict what was being told by Ms. [VICTIM #1]. I observed no evidence supporting or disproving claims by either party.
I then returned to Ms. [VICTIM #1] with and asked the following questions (Ms. [VICTIM #1]’s response following each question):
-Did Mr. Harris put his hands around your neck?
“One Hand”
-At any point in time did he try to use his other hand, forearm, or anything like that to push against, or was it just the hand?
“Just one hand”
-On a scale of one to ten, how much pressure did he apply?
“None (pause), it was more restraining” (She explained his body was on her and just placed his hand on her neck)
-Did he say anything while he was doing this?
“You gonna respect me”
-Did he shake you simultaneously, while strangling you?
“No”
-How long would you say it lasted?
“Like 2 seconds, I just bruise easily”
-How many times did he do it?
“Just once”
-At any time did you black out or experience lightheadedness?
-She responded by shaking her head no
-Did experience difficulty breathing, or raspy voice during or after?
“No”, she stated her voice was normal
-Do you have any complaints of pain or injury?
“No”
-Any coughing or trouble swallowing?
“No”
-Did you vomit, urinate, or defecate as a result of being strangled?
“No”
-Have you changed clothes since it occurred?
“No”, she said she did change her sweater but there was nothing wrong with it.
-Has there been any prior incidents, similar to this, where he has placed his hands around your neck?
“No”
After speaking to Ms. [VICTIM #1] again, I found it was likely she was minimizing the force used by Mr. Harris during the altercation. The marks on her neck were easily visible and more consistent with considerable force being used. I determined I had probable cause to place Mr. Harris under custodial arrest for Aggravated Assault (Strangulation), and Battery-DVA.
Ms. [VICTIM #1] refused to be evaluated my medical personnel and declined to participate in any prosecution. I clarified with her the two juveniles in the room were in the other room and did not observed or witness an act of domestic violence first-hand. She also explained they were not of school age and a Handle With Care submission was not applicable. No signs of abuse or neglect were observed while on scene and the juveniles were displaying upbeat/healthy behavior.
Mr. Harris was transported to the CCDC where he is held, awaiting arraignment for Aggravated Assault (Strangulation), and Battery DVA. Ms. [VICTIM #1] was provided a victim’s pamphlet and potential services were explained.
[End of Narrative]
All information is sourced directly from the official, public court database. Case history is organized and curated by The Georgia Gazette staff. The “What this means:” explanations are written by AI and reviewed by our staff before publishing.
Court records are subject to change at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors or omissions. Nothing here is legal advice. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case History:
2/20/26
DEFENSE ATTORNEY ENTERS APPEARANCE FOR LAQUISE SHAMORE HARRIS
What this means: Attorney Channa Childs, a public defender with the Office of the Public Defender in Savannah, formally notified the Chatham County Superior Court that she is representing Laquise Shamore Harris in case number SPCR26-00487-J3. This is a standard step that officially puts the court and the prosecution on notice of who is speaking for the defendant going forward.
5/6/26
GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENT — 2 COUNTS FILED AGAINST LAQUISE SHAMORE HARRIS
What this means: A Chatham County grand jury formally charged Laquise Shamore Harris with two offenses stemming from an incident that allegedly occurred on or about February 17, 2026. The indictment was returned in open court on May 6, 2026, during the March Term 2026 of Chatham County Superior Court. District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones and Assistant District Attorney Kevin Jones are prosecuting the case. The two counts are as follows:
Count 1 charges Laquise Shamore Harris with Aggravated Assault under O.C.G.A. 16-5-21. Harris is accused of making an assault upon the alleged victim by allegedly placing a hand on the alleged victim’s throat and applying pressure — an act the grand jury found could result in serious bodily injury. The alleged victim and Harris are accused of having been living in the same household at the time of the incident, though they are not siblings.
Count 2 charges Laquise Shamore Harris with Battery, Family Violence under O.C.G.A. 16-5-23.1(f)(2). Harris is accused of intentionally causing visible bodily harm to the alleged victim — specifically, a scratch — by allegedly making contact with the alleged victim while slapping a phone from the alleged victim’s hand. As with Count 1, the alleged victim and Harris are accused of having been living in the same household at the time.
5/7/26
DEFENSE FILES MOTION TO RESERVE RIGHT TO FILE ADDITIONAL MOTIONS
What this means: Defense attorney Channa Childs filed a motion in Chatham County Superior Court asking the court to preserve Laquise Shamore Harris’s right to file additional legal motions later in the case if needed. The filing notes that informal discovery — the process of exchanging evidence between the defense and prosecution — is still ongoing and that the complexity of the charges may require further review of materials before all motions can be identified. The defense also requested that all hearings be recorded by a certified court reporter.
6/7/26
DEFENSE COUNSEL SUBSTITUTED — MADISON MERMELSTEIN ENTERS APPEARANCE
What this means: Madison Mermelstein, an Assistant Public Defender, has replaced Channa Childs as the defense attorney for Laquise Shamore Harris in case number SPCR26-00487-J3. The substitution was formally noticed to Chatham County Superior Court on June 7, 2026. Mermelstein is now the attorney of record representing Harris going forward.
6/23/26
ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULED FOR LAQUISE SHAMORE HARRIS
What this means: An arraignment has been set for Laquise Shamore Harris on June 23, 2026, at 2:00 PM in Chatham County Superior Court. An arraignment is the hearing where a defendant is formally presented with the charges against them and enters a plea — typically guilty, not guilty, or no contest. This is a standard next step following an indictment.
6/23/26
LAQUISE SHAMORE HARRIS ARRAIGNED
What this means: Laquise Shamore Harris appeared for arraignment in Chatham County Superior Court on June 23, 2026. At this hearing, Harris was formally presented with the two-count indictment charging him with Aggravated Assault and Battery, Family Violence, and entered a plea. This is the defendant’s formal response to the charges.
6/23/26
STATE FILES DISCOVERY DISCLOSURE AND DEMAND FOR RECIPROCAL DISCOVERY
What this means: On June 23, 2026, the prosecution filed a discovery disclosure with Chatham County Superior Court, providing the defense with evidence and information in the state’s possession related to the charges against Laquise Shamore Harris. The filing also includes a demand that the defense provide reciprocal discovery — any evidence or information the defense intends to use or that may be favorable to the defendant. A certificate of service confirms that copies were delivered to the defense.
7/7/26
STATE FILES UPDATED DISCOVERY DISCLOSURE AND DEMAND FOR RECIPROCAL DISCOVERY
What this means: On July 7, 2026, the prosecution filed an updated discovery disclosure with Chatham County Superior Court, providing additional evidence or information to the defense. The filing again demands reciprocal discovery from the defense. A certificate of service confirms delivery to defense counsel Madison Mermelstein.
8/21/26
TRIAL DOCKET CALL SCHEDULED FOR LAQUISE SHAMORE HARRIS
What this means: A trial docket call has been scheduled for Laquise Shamore Harris on August 21, 2026, at 9:30 AM in Chatham County Superior Court. A docket call is a brief hearing where the court confirms that both sides are ready to proceed to trial, addresses any last-minute motions or issues, and ensures all parties and witnesses are present. If the case is not resolved before this date, it will move toward trial.