Suspect in Phenix City Riverwalk double homicide arrested by officials
A suspect wanted in the homicide by shooting and killing of two men on the Phenix City Riverwalk is finally in police cuffs after nearly a week of long days and nights of investigating by detectives and a community wanting justice.
The case begun when detectives began their investigation when on December 3, 2022, around 2:00 P.M., Phenix City Police Department 9-1-1 received several shots fired calls coming from the Riverwalk, in the area of the 600 block of Riverview apartments.
Two male bodies were discovered by officers, which both suffered gunshot wounds. CARE Ambulance, Columbus Fire and EMS, Phenix City Fire Department, and the Russell County Coroner’s Office also responded to the scene.
The victims were identified as 32-year-old John Arthur Burkus and 40-year-old Darren “Darrelyn” T. Harris, Russell County Coroner Arthur Sumbry confirms with CNAW2NEWS.com.
Burkus was walking his girlfriend’s dog, named Charlotte, along the Riverwalk, when he reportedly came up on the shooting of Harris. Burkus was then shot multiple times as well. The dog was able to runaway during the gunfire, but was found alive and unharmed Sunday morning by family members.
During the investigation, a person of interest was caught on surveillance footage walking moments before the gunfire.
After several leads into their investigation, multiple sources say, SWAT members and police officials closed in on a house along Emerson Avenue on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. The suspect was not found at the residence but investigators did not give up hope.
Finally, in the late morning hours of Friday, December 9, 2022, the suspect was arrested. The Phenix City Riverwalk shooting suspect is in custody in Muscogee County. The Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force (USMS), Gulf Coast Fugitive Task Force, and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), successfully executed a Capital Murder arrest for Damon Daniels in Columbus, Georgia.
Daniels had an outstanding warrant for Felony Violation of Probation, alongside the capital murder charges. Daniels was arrested without incident and transported to the Muscogee County Jail. He is currently awaiting extradition to Alabama authorities.
“The Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office would also like to thank the Phenix City Police Department for their hard work and dedication towards solving this case,” Sheriff Greg Countryman said. “Job well done to all.”
Stay with CNAW2NEWS.com for the latest on this investigation.
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