High School Dean Accused of ‘Execution-Style’ Shooting Arraigned on Gun and Drug Charges
A former Boston English High School dean and Dorchester reverend was arraigned today on gun and drug charges, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office said. The new charges against Shaun O. Harrison, 55, came following the search of his Pompeii Street home after he allegedly attempted to kill a student two weeks ago.
The new charges include unlawful posession of firearms and ammunition as well as trafficking cocaine. He was held on $150,000 bail today, in addition to his original $250,000 bail.
The reverend, who once led a community anti-violence campaign, attempted to kill a 17-year-old student by shooting him “execution-style’’ in the back of the head at close range on March 3, authorities said. The unidentified teen miraculously survived and told police he had been selling marijuana for Harrison.
After his arrest, Harrison pleaded not guilty to charges including assault with intent to murder, aggravated assault and battery, and unlawful possession of a gun. Soon after his initial arraignment, however, officers allegedly found illegal handguns, a rifle, a shotgun, ammunition, and large amounts of marijuana and cocaine in Harrison’s Roxbury apartment.
Prosecutors said at Harrison’s court appearance today that they found the drugs and weapons locked in a safe in the basement of his apartment and asked for $500,000 bail, according to The Boston Globe. The defense argued that he had no criminal record and ran a gun buy-back program to keep illegal weapons off the street, The Globe reported.
Authorities said the 17-year-old survivor told them he had been selling drugs for Harrison until the two had an argument, and that the community leader ran a drug ring.
The Boston Globe recently reported that the reverend was going to be fired just hours before the shooting for “shoving’’ a female Boston English pupil. Harrison was “Dean of Academy’’ at Boston English; he was fired two days after the shooting.
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