JC murder linked to Carter County

By Kathy Helms-Hughes
STAR STAFF

   A Johnson City Press paper carrier was found dead Thursday afternoon in the back of his pickup, located in the parking lot of Clifton View Baptist Church, 1507 Orleans St.
   According to Johnson City Police, a person walked into the Police Bureau at 4:01 p.m. and told them where they could find a body. Criminal investigators followed up the report and found David Harmon, approximately 30 years old, wrapped in a blanket and quilt. Harmon, 1531 Whispering Pines Road, Unicoi, had multiple gunshot wounds to the head, chest and lower body.
   Carter County Sheriff John Henson said the sheriff's department received a call from Johnson City at 4:45 p.m., telling them they had a homicide which possibly was tied to Carter County. Interviews led sheriff's department investigators to a mobile home at 1990 King Springs Road.
   Less than six hours after the body was found, law enforcement officials had a suspect in custody. His name had not been released at press time.
   "According to the victim's wife, Patsy, he was last seen around 10-10:30 p.m. Wednesday when he left home. Where he went from there, she didn't know," Henson said.
   The shooting is believed to have occurred early Thursday at the King Springs location, the sheriff said, and the body later transported to Johnson City.
   Harmon appeared to have been shot with a small-caliber handgun. A .25-caliber automatic and a .22-caliber rifle were recovered from the crime scene.
   Harmon's body was taken to Quillen-Dishner College of Medicine for autopsy.