After handing over all of his money, $2 in cash, Ball State sophomore Karl Harford was shot in the head Sunday morning. Muncie Police have yet to find a motive that explains why.
"They committed a homicide with really no reason," Muncie police chief Joe Winkle said.
The Muncie Police Department held a press conference Tuesday to share this and other information with the media. During the press conference, Winkle released the name of the third suspect, Damien Blaine Sanders, 21, at a press conference Tuesday. He also released Sanders' mug shot and a still-video image of him taken at the party Saturday night. Sgt. Allen Williams said Sanders is likely armed.
Sanders' prior criminal record involves seven arrests, mostly for theft and underage drinking charges. He was also charged with indecent exposure and escape.
Two other suspects, Brandon L. Patterson, 18, and a juvenile were arrested Monday night. Police refuse to say which one they think pulled the trigger. However, according to an affidavit, Patterson told police it was one of the other suspects, and the juvenile has only been charged with assisting a criminal. Winkle did say other charges could be filed against the juvenile.
Harford was killed by a gunshot to the head, and his body was found in the back seat of his car on the east side of Muncie on Sunday afternoon. He had been at the house party on Abbott Street the night before, and left early Sunday morning to give a ride home to Sanders, Patterson and the juvenile.
The trio decided to rob Harford after he offered them a ride at 4 a.m. Sunday. The documents say Harford initially refused to empty his pockets when Patterson pointed the gun at him. Patterson hit him, pulled him out of the car and took the $2.
Winkle said the $2 in cash was the most significant item taken from Harford.
The document goes on to say that one of the other suspects told Patterson to shoot Harford, but it does not say which one. Before Patterson could respond, the unnamed suspect grabbed the gun from him and threatened to shoot Harford himself. Harford wrestled with him, making him drop the gun. Patterson restrained Harford, and the unnamed suspect picked up the gun and shot Harford in the head.
The affidavit says all three suspects ran to a nearby home and then returned to load Harford's body in his car. Patterson then walked away while one of the suspects drove the car to the alley where it was found.
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