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Watch Live: Reverend Shaun Harrison Trial

 

55-year-old Massachusetts pastor and former dean of academies at English High School, Shaun Harrison, who styled himself as anti-gun and anti-gang and allegedly shot a teen in the head over drugs, was back in court Monday.

Harrison faces charges in the shooting of Luis Rodriguez, a teen he reportedly mentored and shot in the back of the head three years ago because of low marijuana sales. Charges include armed assault to murder and illegal possession of drugs, firearms, and ammunition, the Boston Globe reported.

Rodriguez, 20 now and 17 at the time of the shooting, has lived to tell the tale. He testified Friday that he felt a “loud bang” when he was shot on March 3, 2015.

“All I felt was just a loud bang and I hit the floor. And as soon as I hit the floor, I’m like dazed,” Rodriguez said. “There was nobody there. Nobody there. [Harrison] was nowhere to be found.”

“He was my counselor. I went to him for everything,” he added.

Rodriguez was shot in the head under his right ear. He testified that there’s “no doubt” that Harrison is the one who shot him.

“There’s no doubt in my mind,” he said. “I was in such denial. I knew who did it. Of course I knew who did it.”

Harrison has pleaded not guilty.

“I am not a gang member. I’m the Rev,” Harrison has said in the past. “I never lived a double life. I never, never, sold drugs. I never, never sold drugs, I never, sold guns, never turned kids into gang members. Me? I would not even know how to do that.”

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Matt Naham is the Senior A.M. Editor of Law&Crime.