Steffan Harris, a 43-year-old Rolla man, died on Oct. 10 after being taken off life support. His death was the result of an Oct. 4 assault that occurred in Rolla and left Harris in critical condition with life-threatening injuries.

According to his family, Harris spent six days on life support before they made the decision to withdraw treatment after seeing no signs of improvement.

Stacey C. Johnson of St. James has been charged with first-degree assault, armed criminal action and possession of a controlled substance in connection with the assault that led to Harris’ death.

Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney Taylor Banholzer said before the weekend that additional charges will be considered as more information becomes available. Due to the federal holiday on Oct. 12, Banholzer was not available for comment.

According to a report from the Rolla Police Department, officers responded to a report of an assault in the 1000 block of East 10th Street at approximately 8:30 p.m. Upon arrival, officers found the victim unresponsive and suffering from life-threatening injuries. The victim was in critical condition and transported for emergency medical treatment.

An Oct. 7 Facebook post by Jeff Harris identified the victim as his brother Steffan Harris. Jeff Harris confirmed in the post that his brother was in the intensive care unit on life support, with low brain function and no improvement.

“He is only being kept alive by machines,” Jeff Harris said in the post, adding that Steffan Harris was registered as an organ donor and that family kept him on life support until an organ recipient could be found.

“Our family is still trying to get the justice Steffan deserves while also choosing to help someone else who needs a chance at life,” Jeff Harris’ wrote in a social media post. “That’s what we’re holding onto. It’s not easy, but it’s the right thing, and it’s how we’re trying to make sense of something that doesn’t make sense.”

Jeff Harris later provided an update on social media where he confirmed Steffan Harris was taken off life support at approximately 11 p.m. on Oct. 10. He added that three individuals would receive life-saving organs from his brother.

“Steffan took his last breath around 11 o’clock last night,” Jeff Harris wrote in an Oct. 11 Facebook post. “His death wasn’t in vain. Three people are alive today because of him.”

Following an investigation, detectives with the Rolla Police Department identified Johnson as a suspect. Johnson was arrested and transported to the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department where he was placed on a 24-hour hold.

He remains in the Phelps County Jail without bond, according the Rolla Police Department’s last update on Oct. 6.

According to docket entries in the state’s case against Johnson, he was scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 13 for a bond review hearing before 25th Circuit Court Judge Kenneth Clayton, who is overseeing the case. The hearing determined whether Johnson, who has pleaded not guilty, would be granted bond. The hearing was scheduled after The Saint James Press’ publication deadline, and its outcome was not available at the time of publication.

“This was a serious act of violence, and our officers and detectives worked quickly to identify and apprehend a suspect,” said Rolla Police Chief William Loughridge. “I appreciate the diligent work of our personnel and the assistance provided by our law enforcement partners throughout this investigation.”

The Rolla Police Department was contacted for comment on developments in the investigation and potential additional charges against Johnson, but did not respond as of The Saint James Press’ publication deadline.