Authorities allege the man was targeted after reporting the sexual assault of his child — and rejecting an offer to drop the case
A Missouri father who reported his child’s sexual assault was shot and killed months after refusing a $12,000 bribe to walk away from the case, according to police.
The case, which has taken a deadly turn, centers around Lavor Harmon, who was indicted in June on charges of statutory rape and statutory sodomy involving a teenager. Prosecutors say the assault took place in March.
Now, Harmon’s sister, Lavonda Harmon, of Houston, Texas, is facing charges of witness tampering after she allegedly tried to silence the victim’s father — who was later gunned down in front of children.
The Alleged Bribe
According to a criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE, Lavonda Harmon and an unidentified man visited the father’s home in Ferguson, Missouri, in May and offered him $12,000 in cash. The goal, police allege, was to stop him from cooperating with the investigation into her brother, who at the time had not yet been formally charged.
The father refused.
A Deadly Retaliation
On July 8, a man showed up at the father’s home and shot him dead while the victim’s child and another minor were present, according to prosecutors. Shortly after the killing, witnesses saw a white Kia speeding away from the scene.
That same day, police say, the suspected gunman was also found shot to death in St. Louis — and the Kia believed to be involved was discovered burned nearby.
Lavonda Harmon is now charged with tampering with a witness in a felony prosecution, while her brother Lavor Harmon faces three counts of second-degree statutory sodomy and one count of second-degree statutory rape.
Authorities have not yet announced charges in connection with the father’s murder.
Prosecutors: A Danger to the Community
In a motion to increase Lavor Harmon’s bail — now set at $2 million — prosecutors warned that Harmon and those close to him pose a serious threat.
“The facts of the case are alarming enough,” the filing reads. “But while this warrant has been active, investigations have revealed that the Defendant, his family members, and associates have engaged in criminal activity that demonstrates the significant danger he poses to the victim and community.”
It’s unclear whether either Lavonda or Lavor Harmon has entered a plea.
The investigation remains ongoing.
