Charges filed against Jonesboro Basement shooters

Charges filed against Jonesboro Basement shooters

Pair faces murder charges in incident that left one dead, six injured

Executive Assistant for Scott Ellington JONESBORO, ARK — Scott Ellington, District Prosecuting Attorney for the Second Judicial District of Arkansas, announces the filing of formal charges against a duo arrested in the May 14 mass shooting spree at The Basement in downtown Jonesboro that left one person dead and six more injured.

Ellington filed an Information Wednesday in Craighead County Circuit Court charging Kalius J.

“KK” Lane, 20, and Chauncey Thomas, 19, both of Jonesboro, each with one (1) count of First Degree Murder and six (6) counts of First Degree Battery.

Ellington said both face up to life in prison if convicted of the charges. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law History of the Case: In the early morning hours of Sunday, May 14, Jonesboro police officers were dispatched to The Basement, 311 S. Main St., Jonesboro, in regard to a shooting that had occurred at a large party being held at the event venue.

One victim, Montario Barnes, was pronounced dead at the scence. Six additional victims were taken to area hospitals and treated for gunshot injuries. Witnesses identified both defendants as the suspects and Jonesboro Police Department detectives obtained warrants for their arrests. Thomas himself surrendered to authorities the same day, while Lane fled to Texas, where United States marshals apprehended him.

From Jessica Smith