Alabama School Official Arrested for 2013 Triple Murder
A shocking revelation has rocked McAdory Middle School in Alabama — one of its assistant principals, Keante Harris, has been arrested in connection with a triple murder that happened more than a decade ago. The arrest brings renewed attention to an 11-year-old cold case and raises pressing questions about how a school official became linked to such a crime. Here's what we know about Harris' role in the tragic deaths of three victims.
An 11-Year-Old Mystery Finally Cracked
The mystery began in January 2013, when three bodies were discovered in an abandoned 2010 Dodge Charger along an exit ramp on I-85 in Union City, Georgia. The victims — Cheryl Colquitt-Thompson, Quinones King, and Rodney Cottrell — had all been brutally killed after being lured to a home in Jonesboro, Georgia. According to investigators, they were held at gunpoint, tortured, and then suffocated or strangled before being stuffed into the car. Despite efforts from law enforcement, the case remained unsolved for more than a decade.
Harris' Arrest and the Connection to McAdory Middle School
Keante Harris, 45, was arrested in May 2024 along with three other men for their involvement in the 2013 murders. He was serving as an assistant principal at McAdory Middle School in Birmingham, Alabama, a position he had held since joining Jefferson County Schools in 2018. Harris' arrest shocked the school community, and he was promptly placed on administrative leave as the charges became public. The school district emphasized that the charges were unrelated to his employment, and Harris soon resigned.
Who Are the Others Involved?
The other suspects arrested alongside Harris include Kenneth Thompson, Kevin Harris, and Darrell Harris. Authorities did not immediately clarify if there is a family connection between the three suspects who share the same last name. All four men have been charged with three counts of malice murder each. The arrests were made across three different states, demonstrating the collaborative efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies to finally bring the suspects into custody.
Details of the Crime and Victims
The details of this gruesome case are chilling. The victims were lured to a home, forced inside at gunpoint, and tortured before they were killed. Investigators later found the bodies dumped in the abandoned car, with King and Cottrell having died from asphyxiation in the back seat and Colquitt-Thompson found strangled in the trunk. The families of the victims have endured years of uncertainty, clinging to hope that justice would eventually be served. One family member expressed relief and gratitude to investigators for not giving up on the case.
What Comes Next?
With the suspects now in custody, the focus turns to the upcoming court proceedings. Harris, who was extradited to Clayton County, Georgia, will face trial alongside the other accused. The families of the victims are expected to attend, despite the emotional difficulty of reliving the tragedy. For many, this is a long-awaited step toward closure and justice. The unfolding trial will likely reveal more about the motive behind the heinous crime and how the perpetrators managed to evade capture for so long.
The arrest of an Alabama school administrator for a decade-old triple murder has sent shockwaves across the community. As the investigation progresses, the true nature of Keante Harris' involvement will come to light, offering long-overdue answers to the victims' families. For now, the focus remains on ensuring justice is served — no matter how much time has passed since the crime.
References: Alabama assistant principal Keante Harris arrested for decade-old triple murder | Assistant principal charged in cold-case triple murder extradited to Clayton County
