‘I would have been killed’: MPD didn’t arrest felon who admitted to shooting

Six weeks on, the echoes of a drive-by shooting still pierce the quiet streets of Senita. Felony evidence is palpable, yet no one in cuffs — and it’s got neighbors in knots. 

Maricopa police responded to gunfire in a central part of town near Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway the night of July 26. When they arrived on West Cowpath Drive — a well-manicured suburban street lined with happy adobe houses — they didn’t find the gang of drive-by gunmen a witness described. 

Instead, they found the witness — 47-year-old Shawan Harris, who was armed — and a parked car spattered with bullet holes. 

Harris allegedly told officers he shot back at assailants, but missed his target and struck the parked car instead. “I answer back, and I’m in the wrong?” Harris said in a social media message days later. “Can we not protect our land and family?” 

But Harris is a convicted felon who isn’t legally allowed to possess a gun. To date, Maricopa Police Department hasn’t charged him with anything — even though officers observed him commit a felony. 

Seeking justice 

Neighbor Dante Scudella, whose car was shot, said he’s “living in fear” and still searching for answers. 

“I truly am confused,” he told InMaricopa. “I claim incompetence on MPD’s part.” 

Scudella’s car sustained thousands of dollars of damage, causing him to lose work, he claimed. Now, with no arrest, he said his insurance rates spiked. 

He’s just grateful no one was injured during the unrest — police confirmed that fact. 

“If I would have been in the vehicle, I would have been killed,” he said. “I would have been struck in the head.” 

Scudella was a member of law enforcement for more than a decade. He moved to Maricopa last year. 

“I already have a bad taste in my mouth with Maricopa Police Department,” he said. “I’m being treated like the suspect.” 

You can’t do that 

Harris, meanwhile, is labeled a witness — not a suspect of any crime. Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is a felony crime in Arizona punishable by two and a half years in prison.  

Discharging that gun on a residential road could carry more severe charges, both state and federal. 

Maricopa police seized the gun that night but didn’t lodge charges. Neighbors said they believe Harris owns more guns. 

PD spokesperson Monica Williams indicated charges could come later. 

“MPD is aware of Harris’s status as a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms,” she told InMaricopa. “The weapon fired the night of the shooting was seized per standard protocol and remains in MPD’s possession.” 

He’s got priors 

Harris was convicted of fraud in Graham County Superior Court in 2014, court records show. 

His criminal record is littered with petty charges across the state — contempt of court in Gila County, driving with a revoked license in Pima County, and the list goes on. 

He did not respond to a request for comment. 

“No arrests have been made as it is still an active and ongoing investigation,” Williams said.