SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Scottsdale Police officials announce Feb. 11 that an arrest has been made in connection with the murder of a Special Olympics athlete.
In a statement, officials said they arrested John Merryman, 38, in connection with the murder of Scott Harkness, 59. Investigators say a weapon found near the Feb. 6 crime scene was forensically linked to Merryman.
“Confirmation linking the weapon to Merryman arrived on Thursday, February 10, 2022,” read part of the statement. “Merryman will be incarcerated in Maricopa County Jail on one count of first degree murder.”
According to court documents, Merryman has a criminal history, which includes aggravated assault, harassment, domestic violence, drug possession and arson. He was also forbidden to have firearms.
The victim was found by the side of the road
According to earlier statements from Scottsdale Police, they received reports of gunfire just after 1:00 a.m. on February 6 near Camelback and Hayden Roads. A witness then saw a person lying on the side of the road.
When first responders arrived on the scene, they transported Harkness to a nearby hospital, where he later died.
“Scott was a member of the community with special needs, was an active participant in the City of Scottsdale Adapted Recreation Program and an athlete with the Scottsdale Special Olympics team, the Bobcats,” police said in a statement. hurry.
Court documents provide new details about the case
In the days following the shooting, it emerged Scott was returning from his favorite bar when police said he had been shot twice, allegedly by Merryman.
At the time of the shooting, Merryman was reportedly in a black 2010 Mercedes-Benz. That car, investigators say, was later found, abandoned, in a church parking lot.
In court documents, prosecutors say Harkness appeared to be a “randomly selected murder victim.”
Victim commemorated by his relatives
“He didn’t deserve this, and the person – I have a hard time saying that word associated with him, but the person who did this has to pay for doing this to my brother,” Scott’s younger brother said. , Patrick.
In the days following the shooting that claimed Harkness’ life, the victim’s memories remain intact in his Scottsdale apartment.
“I’m still in shock and in disbelief. I can’t believe this happened to my brother,” Patrick said.
Inside the apartment, Patrick highlighted his Special Olympics trophies, DVD collection, cherished family photos and beloved Chuck Norris t-shirts.
“He was very funny, very outgoing,” Patrick said. “Loved people, loved being around people, just loved having fun with his friends.”
Community members remember Harkness
Daniel Ferguson, owner of Clancy’s Pub, recalled Harkness saying, “Scott would just walk into the room, and he was just a carefree guy.”
He said Harkness was more than a regular customer.
“One of those people you were excited to see, you’re like, ‘Scotty!’ And he’s like, ‘Can I have a soda?’ Ferguson recalled, “We would give him a soda and he would hang around, you know. We felt like he was part of the team here at Clancy’s.”
Harkness often stopped at the Zipps Sports Grill next door and then headed over to Clancy’s. Ferguson says that’s what Harkness did the night he died.
Security footage captured him inside the bar. “I’m doing everything I can to help the officers solve this case. To see someone so nice going downstairs hurts my soul,” Ferguson said.
Harkness was well known to those in the area, who worked at Bashas years ago. He was in charge of local recreational volleyball games.
Anna Ellis, her former coach, said: “I was devastated. It is a very great loss for our community. She has been his Special Olympics coach for the past six years.
“He embodied everything you think an athlete or role model should embody,” Ellis said. “He made you feel like you were such an important part of his daily life and he made you feel happy to be around him. He was just a genuine guy.”
A GoFundMe has been created in Harkness’s name.
The matter is still under investigation and anyone with information is asked to call 480-312-TIPS (8477) or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (948-6377). You can remain anonymous and receive a cash reward for tips leading to an arrest or indictment.
You can also leave an anonymous tip for Scottsdale PD at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=1963&C=&T=.
Donation to the Scott Harkness Memorial Fund
https://www.classy.org/give/390934/#!/donation/checkout
More titles from Arizona
For the latest local news, download the FOX 10 News app.
Tune in to FOX 10 Phoenix for the latest news: