Bail has been set at $1 million for a man accused of fatally shooting a woman in the face early Wednes-day morning in the parking lot of a Texarkana, Ark., apartment complex.
Markelle Demetrice Davis, 19, made an initial court appearance Thursday before District Judge Wren Autrey at the Miller County jail courtroom. Davis told the court he intends to hire his own lawyer and did not request a public defender.
Davis is accused of killing Jaqualyn Paxton, 18, with a single shot fired in the parking lot of the Village Park South apartments at 2225 East St. shortly after midnight Wednesday, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Miller County Sheriff's Office deputies who were parked in the 2300 block of East Street witnessed a disturbance and heard a shot from across the street.
The deputies saw a 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass Sierra speeding from the scene and were able to stop the car and take Davis into custody just two blocks from the site of the shooting. Davis allegedly advised deputies that his pistol was in the car though they were unable to find it. Two pistol magazines were allegedly found in his pockets and the car was seized.
Texarkana, Ark., police responded to the report of a shooting about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday and discovered that Paxton had been taken to Wadley Regional Medical Center by civilians in a private car. The two civilians in the car reported they were driving through the parking lot when they witnessed Davis and Paxton arguing and then heard a shot.
The witnesses reported that they saw Davis driving away before seeing Paxton lying on the pavement. The witnesses told police they placed Paxton in their car and drove her to Wadley, where she later died. The witnesses reported seeing deputies with Davis on the side of the road as they traveled to the hospital.
Police believe Paxton and Davis were engaged in an altercation at the time of the shooting. Other witnesses allegedly reported seeing the shooting and identified Davis as the shooter.
If convicted of murder, Davis faces 10 to 40 years or life in an Arkansas prison. He remains in the Miller County jail.