Firefighter's son facing manslaughter charges

PEARL, Miss. — Deputies said a man who was beaten up by his 21-year-old son at an Orlando Dave & Buster's restaurant died Wednesday morning and the son has now been charged with manslaughter.

The family was on vacation from Mississippi, deputies said.

Hinds County Coroner Sharon Grisham-Stewart tells said 52-year-old firefighter, Leonard Dywane Harris, of Pearl, was pronounced dead at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
 
His death came less than 24 hours after being flown back to Mississippi from Florida, where he had been in critical condition at Orlando Regional Medical Center since the altercation outside a restaurant on July 7.

Deputies said they were working off-duty at the International Drive Dave & Buster's location when Taylor Harris began punching and pushing his father.  They said once they got downstairs, they saw the father, Leonard Harris passed out in the parking lot.

During the fight, the 52-year-old fell and hit his head on the concrete, investigators said.

"Witnesses stated the 21-year-old son began to batter the 52-year-old father about the head several times, eventually knocking him to the ground where he apparently struck his head on the ground," said Paul Hopkins of the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office said it is handling the case and an autopsy will be conducted in Mississippi.

Harris was charged with manslaughter. A Mississippi police lieutenant transported him to the Orange County Sheriff's Office on Thursday. From there, Harris was taken to the Orange County Jail.

WFTV