** We updated our earlier headline. We incorrectly call the 9 Yr old boy, Ham’s son. This has not been confirmed. We apologize for the error.**
SEBRING — At 4:07 p.m. yesterday, a call was received about several people burning a pile of debris on the side of Bay Blossom Drive at the intersection of US 98 in Sebring.
Highlands County Fire-Rescue units from Station 19 on George Blvd. were dispatched to the scene, and due to the suspicious nature of the incident, law enforcement was also requested to respond. Fire-Rescue units were first on scene and were confronted by 39-year-old Richard Myron Ham.
Two Highlands County Sheriff’s Office deputies quickly arrived on scene and found Ham armed with two metal rods. Ham refused to follow deputies’ orders and a taser was deployed. The taser did not appear to have an effect on Ham, who pulled the taser probes from his body and re-armed himself with one of the bars. He then swung the bar and struck a deputy in the head.
At that point, which was 4:22 p.m., the one of the deputies fired his agency issued firearm at Ham. Ham was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The injured deputy was taken to another hospital, where he was treated and released.
The initial investigation revealed that Ham and 30-year-old Lakenya Phillips were burning the possessions of Phillips’ 9-year-old son because they believed he was possessed by a demon. At one point, witnesses said, Ham put the child into the fire and covered him with a blanket that was also on fire. The child was able to escape serious injury.
Phillips and the child were listed as missing and endangered out of Wichita, Kansas on Dec. 6. It still has not been determined when or why they came to Highlands County. Multiple firearms and drugs were found in the vehicle Ham and Phillips were driving at the time.
Ham’s criminal history includes convictions for armed felonies and drug possession and multiple arrests in Arkansas, South Carolina and Georgia.
This incident will be investigated by the 10th Judicial Circuit Officer Involved Deadly Incident Task Force.
NOTE: This information is preliminary and may change as the investigation continues.
