A 12-year-old boy was arrested in Fouke, Ark., this morning and charged with capital murder after a woman was fatally shot at a convenience store there, according to Miller County Sheriff's Office.
Christa Shockley, 21, was shot about 2 a.m. today at E-Z Mart on U.S. Highway 71 in Fouke, said MCSO spokesman Michael McQuerrey. A local newspaper carrier found her unresponsive on the store's floor, he said. Shockley was dead when MCSO deputies and first responders from Boggy Creek Volunteer Fire Department arrived, according to officials.
A male juvenile was arrested in connection with the case about 8:30 a.m. Thursday in Fouke after investigators found "multiple critical items of evidence including the clothing the suspect wore during the crime (and) the weapon used to commit the crime," MCSO spokesman Michael McQuerrey said in a press release.
Arkansas State Police and Texarkana, Ark., Police Department detectives also responded to the scene. About 8 a.m., "critical items of evidence including the clothing the suspect wore during the crime and the pistol believed to be used to commit the crime had been recovered," McQuerrey said. Fouke School District was notified, and deputies were sent to the school to make sure staff and students were safe.
The boy is being charged with capital murder and aggravated robbery in connection with the shooting and is being held in Miller County Juvenile Detention Center. The investigation is ongoing.
Mayor Terry Purvis said he got call about the shooting about 5 a.m.
"It is a tragic situation for the city of Fouke, just be in prayer for the family," Purvis said. Residents are in shock and mourning, he said.
Look for more details in Friday's edition of the Gazette.