College Student Reconnects With Childhood Friend and Helps Him Get Released From Prison

As children living in Annapolis, Maryland, Brandon Harris and Sura Sohna grew up together and were close friends. One would end up excelling in his academics and the other would commit a crime that changed the course of his life.

According to “Good Morning America,” Harris “graduated from a private high school and went on to Davidson College in North Carolina, where he receives a full-tuition scholarship as a Belk Scholar, which recognizes academic achievement and leadership. He was elected student body president twice and expects to graduate this year with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy.”

As a young child, Sohna didn’t have it easy. Sohna said he was exposed to “violence, police brutality and drugs” at a young age, also experiencing homelessness.

“Growing up, I didn’t really have anything. I didn’t have much. I would be picked on for not having things and I felt like instead of being a victim of things, I should become a victimizer and start to do negative things. I feel like I was dealt a bad hand, but I knew right from wrong, and I made bad decision,” he shared.

According to GMA, “Sohna began to have run-ins with law enforcement when he was just 12 years old when he was arrested for stealing a bike. He said a police officer and the victim of the crime told him he should spend the rest of his life in jail for stealing that bike.”

In 2018, Sohna was charged as an adult for first degree-burglary after breaking into a home, as well as an additional burglary. He faced 15 years in prison for the crimes.

Miraculously, in 2020, Sohna and Harris reconnected after Harris “reached out after hearing that people in prisons were having a hard time staying safe during the COVID-19 pandemic