An Army man and a 16-year-old man have been charged with the murder of an infantryman stationed in Fort Drum, New York.
Cpl. Hayden Harris, 20, was traveling to Watertown, NY on Dec. 19 for a vehicle transaction, but authorities found him shot dead in a wooded area of Byram Township, NJ, on Dec. 19. The body was buried under snow.
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The Sussex County, NJ, prosecutor’s office said Spc. Jamaal Mellish, 23, and the unidentified male youth are charged with murder, kidnapping and other charges.
Mellish is being held in military custody in Oneida County, NY, pending extradition to New Jersey. The teenager is in custody in a juvenile detention center.
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Mellish is facing six charges, including first-degree murder, kidnapping, unlawful possession of a firearm and suppression of evidence. The juvenile is facing four charges, including kidnapping, murder and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Harris, of Guys, Tenn., Joined the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum in July 2019 after training at Fort Benning, Georgia.
He served as a foot soldier in the 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Team, but was promoted to corporal after his death. According to the 10th Mountain Division, he received two medals for military performance, the national defense medal, the military service ribbon and the world war for terrorist services.
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“We are devastated,” said Brig. Gen. Brett Funck, acting commander of Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division, said in a statement at the time of Harris’ death.
‘It was well known that Corporal Harris was a great soldier, and as we share our grief with his friends and family, I hear again and again how he too – and most importantly – was a wonderful, caring man. death is a tremendous loss to his loved ones, this Division and our nation. ‘
According to the 10th Mountain Division, members of his unit reported him only a few hours after he lost contact with him.
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Several police departments joined the search for Harris after the military asked for help from the public.
The investigation continues. Officials are asking anyone with information regarding Harris’ death to contact Lieutenant Nicholas Elmo at the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office (973) 383-1570 or Det. Robert Tierney at the Byram Township Police Department at (973) 347-4008.
Associated Press and Fox News’ Sam Dorman contributed to this report.