Rally Saturday for missing Lowell man as family demands answers from police

LOWELL, Mass. — The family of 25-year-old Moses Harris are hosting a rally Saturday afternoon outside Lowell’s police department.

Harris, of Lowell, was last seen entering the Concord River two weeks ago while police tried to arrest him.

The rally is set for 2 p.m. Saturday. Harris’ family and friends are demanding police release body camera footage of the incident as well as an official report on what happened.

In an email to Boston 25 News on Saturday morning, Lowell Police Captain Mark LeBlanc said Lowell police officers don’t have body cameras.

“Myself and Superintendent Richardson met, in person, with the family on December 26 and offered to show them surveillance footage of Mr. Harris’s interaction with our officer before he entered the Concord River; they declined at that time to view it,” LeBlanc wrote in his email. “I met again, in person, with his family on Wednesday December 30 and showed the family that surveillance video.”

Organizers are encouraging supporters to call state and federal lawmakers – including Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey – and demand an investigation into Harris’ disappearance.

Boston 25 News spoke to Harris’ family at a march last week.

“We just want closure,” said Harris’ aunt. “The police were the last ones to see this young boy alive. We want to know where they searched, and we want our child back.”

According to Lowell police, officers were investigating a report of domestic battery and vandalism on the morning of Dec 19. Harris was the suspect.

Police said an officer attempted to arrest Harris, but he refused police commands and entered the Concord River.

Police said they used divers, boats, a helicopter and more to try and locate Harris, and have continued looking for him since Dec.19.

“Immediately after Mr. Harris entered the river, members of the Lowell Police Department began a search and were subsequently assisted by the Lowell Fire Department and Massachusetts State Police in their efforts to locate him,” LeBlanc wrote in his email.

“The river and riverbanks were searched extensively by numerous police personnel, divers, boats, and a helicopter, and first responders using thermal imaging equipment. Since then, Lowell Police have repeatedly conducted searches of the area on foot and utilizing a drone.”

Harris’ family said police have not been transparent about what happened that morning or about their efforts to find Harris, but Lowell police said their supervisors have been in regular contact with Harris’ family since Dec. 19.

“This is not the desired outcome, regardless of the circumstances that led to police involvement with this individual,” said Superintendent Kelly Richardson. “Life and safety are our primary concerns, and right now our main preoccupation is with finding this person.”

Cox Media Group