Mother believes son’s murder was a set up during custody battle

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - Steven Harris’s mother said her son was the typical 20-year-old college student.

Investigators said his young life was cut short by three people accused of plotting the young musician’s murder while he was in a custody battle with his child’s mother.

RELATED: Missing former SU student found dead in Miss. was lured there by 3 suspects, officials say

Hearts are heavy after the loss of Steven Harris, a member of the Southern University Human Jukebox.

“His demise was set up,” said his mother LaSonia Harris.

Harris said her son was picked up from their West Feliciana Parish home by someone in an unfamiliar car on the evening of Wednesday, July 17, and was never seen again.

Several days later, a body believed to be his was discovered shot multiple times in Wilkinson County, Mississippi.

West Feliciana Parish deputies arrested Derek Hollins, Jr., Calajia Jack, and Allyah Martin.

Harris’s mother says she’s feeling several emotions.

“I’m distraught from losing my son. The circumstances for which I lost my son. I’m confused about why did it have to come to this. I’m hurt because I felt like this was an intentional attempt to hurt me and my family and I’m angry because it was unnecessary,” she said.

Investigators said Harris and Martin were in a custody battle over their young son. His mother believes it’s the reason for his murder.

“It’s plainly clear that he was set up,” she said.

The sheriff said Harris was well known in the community and he knew the other two people who are accused in his murder. We are told he went to West Felicana High School with Hollins and Jack.

“We want to make sure that we get justice for the victim and the victim’s family,” said Sheriff Brian Spillman.

Spillman wouldn’t say who investigators believe pulled the trigger, but he did tell WAFB Hollins admitted that the gun used was his. For the victim’s mother, she just wants to remember her son.

“My son was the typical 20-year-old college student. A lover of HBCU music who played an instrument for 10 years. My son was the most giving, talented, loyal friend that you could ever meet,” said LaSonia Harris.

LaSonia Harris said her grandson is with her and her husband. The family is still waiting for Steven’s body to be positively identified along with an autopsy before they can bring the body back to Louisiana to have funeral services.

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