40-year-old Mesquite man wanted in slaying of 22-year-old man in Rowlett

A 40-year-old man is wanted in the slaying of a 22-year-old man who was fatally shot outside a Rowlett shopping center last month.

Rowlett police responded to the 2100 block of Lakeview Parkway about noon Feb. 26 and found 22-year-old Rowlett resident Kerry Cottrell shot in a shopping center driveway. He died at a hospital.

Authorities said this week they had identified 40-year-old Virgil Allen Harris of Mesquite as a suspect and released surveillance images from the incident.

Harris also uses the alias Derrick Deon Dozier, according to authorities. He is described as a Black man who is 6-1 and about 200 pounds and was driving an orange 2021 Dodge Charger.

Court records show Harris faces an aggravated robbery charge in Dallas County stemming from an October incident. An attorney listed in court records for Harris could not immediately be reached for comment.

Anyone with information may contact Detective David Mayne at 972-412-0689 or dmayne@rowlett.com.

The North Texas Crime Commission is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case. Anonymous tips with Crime Stoppers can be made at 877-373-8477.