SPARKLE MARKET SHOOTING Security guard pleads innocent to assault

The security guard was released after posting$1,000 bond.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A security guard who police say shot at a 17-year-old York Street boy has pleaded innocent to a charge of felonious assault.
Michael A. Harris, no street address available, of Warren, entered the plea Tuesday in the courtroom of Judge Thomas Gysegem of municipal court.
He was freed on a $1,000 bond. As a condition of bond, however, Harris was told that he is not allowed to carry a firearm and must stay away from the victim, Eddie Robertson.
Harris, who was not represented by legal counsel, declined to comment.
If convicted of the charge, Harris faces up to eight years in prison.
The shooting took place around 5:30 p.m. Sept. 6, reports state.
Police said Harris was providing security for Sparkle Market, 2788 W. Market St., at the time of the shooting.
The store contracts with REMCO Security of Boardman for security officers. Richard Clautti of REMCO has said that Harris has been with the company for a year and has had no previous problems.
Detective Jeff Cole, who investigated the matter, said he spoke to all involved and had the juvenile prosecutor review the case, too. The juvenile prosecutor chose not to file charges on Robertson, Cole said.
Robertson has said that he went to the store Sept. 6 with his sister and was asked by Harris to leave the store.
Robertson said he did not know why he was asked to leave but that he didn't want to argue with Harris, so he left.
The teen-ager said he was sitting in his sister's car, when Harris asked him to get out of the car. Robertson added that when he was sitting on the hood of the car, Harris shot at him.
Robertson has a small wound on the right side of his head. He was treated at a local hospital.
Sparkle Market officials did not return numerous telephone calls seeking comments as to why the guard wanted Robertson out of the store or why Robertson was not allowed in the store.
Harris had told police that Robertson had a knife and he felt threatened.
Robertson denied having a knife.
sinkovich@vindy.com