Community screening renews scrutiny of Pierce County Jail death
TACOMA — A community film screening in Tacoma on Aug. 29 has become the latest focal point for activists and family members seeking answers about the 2022 death of 23-year-old Ronald Amir Harris in the Pierce County Jail.
The Tacoma Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (TACAARPR) hosted the screening of the documentary The Alabama Solution, which organizers say spotlights patterns of mistreatment, political repression and deaths in custody. Speakers at the event linked the themes of the film to Harris’ case and called for additional investigation and transparency from county authorities.
Harris was found dead in his cell before his trial in 2022. Pierce County has ruled the death a suicide but, according to organizers and family members, has not produced key evidence or allowed a full, independent investigation. TACAARPR has launched a petition requesting that the Washington Office of Independent Investigation review Harris’ death.
“May 2, 2022 changed my life. This was the day that I found out my son was murdered. Even though the judicial system claims that my son committed suicide, there was no evidence to support that,”
The quote came from Ray Charles Harris, Ronald Harris’ father, who spoke publicly about his belief that his son was killed while in custody. Longtime friend and community member Tanderlon Carter also addressed the screening, characterizing Ronald Harris as an “unconvicted individual who died in custody under suspicious circumstances” and urging action to secure truth and accountability.
Records, investigations and community demands
Organizers say many Freedom of Information Act requests related to the case have been denied or remain unresolved. According to TACAARPR, some requests have been pending for more than nine months. At the screening, speakers and attendees urged authorities to release photos and information about the location and circumstances of Harris’ death to his father and to allow an independent review by the state investigative office.
Another speaker, Moon Gosserand, questioned why the county has not provided the family with requested materials: “If they have nothing to hide, why won’t they release the photos or location of his death to his father?” The screening organizers presented the event as a way to raise public awareness and to mobilize protesters and social media pressure aimed at county officials.
- Screening: Aug. 29 in Tacoma, hosted by TACAARPR
- Subject: Death of Ronald Amir Harris in Pierce County Jail, 2022
- Demands: Independent investigation by Washington Office of Independent Investigation; release of investigative materials to family
What organizers say and next steps
TACAARPR framed the screening as part of a broader fight for “justice” for Harris and a critique of what they described as systemic protections for jail personnel accused of wrongdoing. Organizers are using the petition and public events to press local and state authorities to take additional action.
| Item | Status (per organizers) |
|---|---|
| County ruling on cause of death | Suicide |
| Family access to evidence | Denied or pending |
| Requested action | Investigation by WA Office of Independent Investigation |
The screening reflected sustained local concern about transparency and accountability in deaths that occur in custody. For Tacoma residents, the case connects to ongoing debates about oversight of detention facilities, access to public records and the mechanisms available when a family contests an official finding.
Organizers encouraged attendees to join upcoming protests and to use social media to amplify demands for the release of evidence and for an independent inquiry. The petition launched by TACAARPR seeks to compel the state investigative body to act, a move that would extend review beyond Pierce County authorities.
As the petition circulates and activists press for further review, the central unanswered questions remain: whether additional evidence exists that contradicts the county’s finding, and whether state investigators will take up the request to examine the circumstances of Harris’ death. Tacoma residents seeking more information can follow TACAARPR’s public statements and any developments from the Washington Office of Independent Investigation or Pierce County officials.
