$5,000 reward offered in death

TUSCUMBIA - Colbert County District Attorney Bryce Graham Jr. and Ronnie May are convinced someone knows details about the shooting death of Harry James Ricks Sr. in a November home invasion.

Both are hopeful a $5,000 reward Gov. Bob Riley has approved for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the case will garner the information they need to locate the three people who broke into Ricks' Gate Six Road home near Leighton about 1 a.m. Nov. 25, taking Ricks and his family hostage and then shooting Ricks, 41, as he attempted to escape.

"We're hoping this will make somebody come forward," Graham said. "Somebody out there knows who did this. We hope the $5,000 reward will get them to talk."

Graham requested the reward to give investigators another tool for locating the suspects and making arrests.

May said the sheriff's office has investigated numerous tips about the case but have not been able to obtain the information they need to secure warrants and begin making arrests.

"We get new information almost every day. We've had some good leads but need more information to secure an arrest warrant," May said. "Usually a reward will bring in additional information."

Graham said many Shoals residents are concerned knowing that the suspects who kicked in the door of Ricks' home, tied up his wife and daughter and then shot him, are still at large.

It was one of a rash of home invasions that have been reported in the Shoals in the past two months.

May said investigators are unsure if the invasion at Ricks' home is connected with any of the others that have plagued the Shoals in recent weeks.

Anyone with information about Ricks' death can call the Colbert sheriff's office at 383-0741 or Shoals Area Crime Stoppers at 383-8685.

Dennis Sherer can be reached at 740-5746 or dennis.sherer@TimesDaily.com.