Four suspects who allegedly instigated a fatal drive-by shooting appeared Tuesday in Little River County Circuit Court in Ashdown, Ark., to hear accusations related to the death of Desmond Smith, 19, of Ashdown.
It was the first court appearance for the three adults and one juvenile. Judge Tom Cooper explained their arrests in connection with the shooting death of Smith and the shooting of Samari Covington, 19, of Ashdown. Covington is recovering from his gunshot wound.
The four suspects face charges of felony drive-by shooting, murder and battery in the first degree. They will return to the circuit court Tuesday.
The adult suspects are Joshua King, 20; Brady Winship, 19; and Tenescha Wilkerson, 18, all of Sevier County, Ark.
"This is a complicated case and we've issued more search warrants. We believe this shooting is gang related," 9th Circuit Prosecutor Bryan Chesshir said.
Smith's aunt, Lawonda Hamilton, cried outside the courthouse while describing the victim.
"He was loving, caring and kind," she said.
Smith recently graduated from Ashdown High School and wanted to attend college, Hamilton said.
"Someone knows the truth to what happened and they need to come forward with the truth," Hamilton said.
"We're seeking justice. I can't tell you how it happened. It was going to be a fight instead a shooting with guns.
"God is in control now. Pray for us."
The 911 call about the shooting on Washington Street in Ashdown was made about 1 a.m. Sunday.
"According to initial reports, several persons in a red Dodge Charger came by a Washington Street house looking for one of the residents.
They were told to leave by a relative who suspected they were there to fight," Ashdown Police Chief Mark Ardwin said.
"Two guests, Desmond Smith and Samari Covington, went out to the vehicle. Multiple shots were fired from the vehicle, striking both of them and two parked cars. The red Dodge Charger then drove away. A witness named one of the car's occupants."
Officers recovered several 9 mm shell casings at the scene and notified surrounding law enforcement agencies.
The suspect vehicle was stopped by Sevier County Sheriff deputies and a De Queen, Ark., police officer near De Queen several hours later, Ardwin said.
The four occupants of the car were taken into custody without incident.
King is being housed in the Little River County jail, while Winship and Wilkerson remain in custody in the Sevier County jail. The juvenile is being held in the White River Detention Center near Batesville, Ark.