On Saturday, August 12, 2017 at approximately 1:00 am, Stafford deputies were dispatched to Mick’s Restaurant and Sports Lounge located at 2866 Jefferson Davis Highway in reference to a fight in progress involving a firearm.

When deputies arrived on scene they learned that the suspect had fled the area on foot heading toward the rear of the nearby Best Western. Witnesses advised deputies that the suspect had been involved in an altercation with another patron of Mick’s. The altercation began inside the business and continued outside into the parking lot. The suspect was seen going into a nearby green Cadillac where he obtained a firearm. It was reported that the suspect began to wave the gun around, pointing it at multiple other people in the area. The suspect then began striking another male patron with the firearm after which time he took off running from the scene.

The suspect was located a short time later by an Aquia Harbour Police Officer near the front gate of Aquia Harbour. The suspect was taken into custody by Stafford deputies. Deputy E.C. Taylor took lead on the investigation.

While deputies were dealing with the suspect, multiple other fights involving a crowd of intoxicated individuals were breaking out at Mick’s. Additional deputies were dispatched to the scene to assist. A total of 17 deputies were needed to maintain control and keep the peace.

Deputies were initially unable to locate the firearm involved in the altercation. Deputy B.U. Demirci and his k-9 partner Steel responded to the scene to assist. K-9 Steel led Deputy Demirci to a vehicle which was parked on the back side of the Best Western. K-9 Steel alerted to the front wheel area of the vehicle where the firearm was located on top of the tire. A check of the firearm revealed that it had been reported stolen out of Prince William County.

The suspect was identified as Joshua Darnell Harris, age 34 of Woodbridge, Va. Harris was charged with one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, one count of Reckless Handling of a Firearm, one count of Brandishing a Firearm, one count of Vandalism and one count of Public Intoxication. The vandalism charge was a result of Harris urinating in the back of Deputy Taylor’s cruiser. The magistrate opted not to issue a warrant against Harris for Possession of a Stolen Firearm. Harris was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.