Authorities say deputies later took 51-year-old David Moreno into custody without incident on Highway 41 in Fresno County about four hours after the shooting.
Moreno was transferred to Madera County, where he is being held on $1 million bail.
The Madera County Sheriff's Office described the case as a domestic violence-related incident and said Harris and Moreno were estranged husband and wife.
Court records obtained by Action News reveal a history of restraining orders between the two. The most recent order, filed by Harris in Merced County, alleged ongoing verbal, mental and emotional abuse. The pair were scheduled to appear in court Tuesday, September 1. Harris had asked the court to modify the order to allow Moreno to attend her father's funeral and to permit exceptions for child custody exchanges.
Harris worked in the counseling center at Merced College, where she was often the first person students encountered when seeking services. She was also enrolled in classes this fall and was working toward applying to the college's Registered Nurse program.
"It's not going to be the same walking into our office. Not seeing her smile. The energy that she always brought every single day, regardless of what was going on outside of work," said Sabrina Frias, a guidance counselor at Merced College.
Colleagues remembered Harris as a positive and energetic presence.
"I do not recall not one single day I saw a frown on her face. She was always smiling and always saw the positive in any situation," Frias said.
Frias said Harris had been making progress toward her goals and was committed to helping others.
"When I think about what Brittney had progressing forward and how much I saw the progress and the work and the dedication. It hurts. It hurts deeply. A life was stolen from someone who was only trying to do positive things in this world. With her children, her life, but also to give back to our community as a future nurse," Frias said.
The case has also renewed attention on domestic violence and the dangers that can arise during separation.
"Domestic violence is not a disease. It's a learned behavior. It's a behavior either seen or been done to. It's a cycle, right," said Tamica Ingram, program director at the Valley Crisis Center.
The Valley Crisis Center provides resources for people experiencing domestic violence in intimate partner relationships.
Ingram said domestic violence often follows recurring patterns and can become more dangerous when someone leaves a relationship.
"So there are different patterns, right. There's a cycle. There's a honeymoon stage, then it goes into the tension-building and the explosion. It can be physical and leaving can be the very most part where it gets real violent," Ingram said.
Those who knew Harris said she remained resilient despite personal challenges.
"She's just an amazing person inside and out, and I mean that dearly. It's tough. It's really hard to know someone so kind. Someone who has preserved so much, if you would know her backstory. That has never given up," Frias said.
Merced College sent a message to students Sunday evening notifying them of Harris' death and offering grief counseling services for those affected.
If you are the victim of domestic abuse, or you know someone who is, there is help available 24/7. In Fresno County, call the Marjaree Mason Center at (559) 233-4357. In all other locations, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-7233.
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