More details released after Floyd Co. teens arrested in shooting incident

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WYMT) - One of the two teens charged in connection to a shooting incident in Floyd County appeared in court Monday, where prosecutors said more charges may be brought forward.

Police say Westin Harris, 19, turned himself in last week after he was charged with complicity in connection to a shooting incident in Prestonsburg. Investigators originally said he was driving the vehicle from which an unnamed 17-year-old boy began shooting at cars passing by on US 23.

Harris was charged with with four counts of complicity to wanton endangerment in the first degree and four counts of complicity to criminal mischief in the first degree, and placed in the Floyd County Detention Center on a $100,000 cash bond. He was arraigned in Floyd District Court Monday.

Harris’ attorney waived formal arraignment, entering a “not guilty” plea, and brought up a motion for a bond reduction, saying Harris is scheduled to begin vocational training outside of Floyd County soon.

The Commonwealth responded to that motion, saying the serious nature of the felony charges are a concern, adding that more evidence has been discovered which would change the nature of the complicity charges and potentially add more charges to the table.

Bartley told WYMT more evidence has been discovered that prosecutors believe places the gun in Harris’ hand for some of the shots that were fired, which would mean he was not solely an accomplice to the crimes.

“Since those charges were done, the police department have gathered information that leads us to believe that Mr. Harrison engaged in the shooting, just the same as a juvenile,” Bartley said.

After the hearing Monday, the Commonwealth sent its written response, reiterating the initial concerns. In that response, County Attorney Keith Bartley also claims Harris was arrested in Johnson County for alcohol intoxication nine days before the the Aug. 1 shooting incident took place.

“In fact, the present charged crimes occurred while the Defendant was awaiting a court date on the Johnson County case,” he wrote.

Bartley also said five victims have now come forward in the case.

“All of which had their vehicles shot and all of which could have easily died as a result of the Defendant and his Co-Defendant’s actions,” he wrote in the Commonwealth’s response to the bond reduction request. “As additional evidence has come to light, it is clear that the two Defendants could very easily be charged with attempted murder for every occupant in all five cars.”

“The defendant is believed to have fled the jurisdiction following the commission of the underlying crimes. The Defendant’s statements to the police, after the fact, are self-serving at best and completely false at worst,” he added.

Harris’ attorney also waived the preliminary hearing for his client. During a preliminary hearing, prosecutors present evidence, witness testimony, and more, and defense teams can cross-examine to allow the judge to decide if there is probable cause to send the case before a grand jury. With that hearing waived, the case will be directed to the grand jury without bringing the details of the case before the judge.

“The waiver of the hearing was probably a tactical decision by the defense to prevent the world from hearing the additional information that police department has gathered since those initial charges were done,” said Bartley.

He said the investigation is still ongoing and if an indictment is handed down for the unnamed teen, his identity will be released.

“There is certainly a possibility of upgrading the charges because there is evidence that Mr. Harris engaged in some of the shooting, just the same as the juvenile did,” said Bartley. “If you got people shooting at ongoing cars or cars passing by, it is an extremely dangerous situation. Could very well have resulted in the death of one or more people.”

Judge Tyler Green is expected to rule on the motion for bond reduction this week. For now, Harris is held on the original $100,000 full cash bond.