Killing of James Henry Harp in Georgia in 1939

Incident

Case summary

James Henry Harp (1915-1939), a laborer, was killed by police in Barnesville, Lamar County, Georgia. Harp was one of four Black men in a “suspected liquor car” being chased by police. The men eventually abandoned the car and exchanged gunfire with police. Two escaped, one was captured, and Harp died of a gunshot wound to the head.

Victim(s):

Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals: [ ]
Perpetrator group type: police

Date of incident: 1939-02-16
Location: Barnesville, Lamar County, Georgia
Location type: public space - rural
Allegation against victim: bootlegging

Coroner process
Coroner/inquest: [ ]
Finding of no legal responsibility: [ ]

Criminal process
Arrest: [ ]
Charge/indictment/information: [ ]
Grand jury: [ ]
Trial: [ ]
Conviction: [ ]
Sentence: [ ]


Document(s):
advocacy group resources
death certificates - closed
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