West Memphis teen shot inside her home
Suspects in custody after violent incident, police still investigating case
news@theeveningtimes.com
“Come home when the street lights come on.”
Parents concerned with the safety of their children have issued that standard of advice for generations.
That precaution wasn't enough for one West Memphis teen last Tuesday night. Police reported shots fired outside an apartment building at 505 S. Avalon, a violent episode that resulted in a 13-year-old girl inside her home taking a bullet.
'She was not outside, she was in her home,' said Mayor Marco McClendon who also responded to the scene.
West Memphis Police Sergeant Lauryn Dixon recapped the events from the call about shots fired at 10:30 p.m. on May 26.
'A bullet went through the residence and struck a 13year-old child in the ankle,' said Dixon. 'She was taken to Le Bonheur to remove the bullet. I would say it was a graze more than an actual entrance. She was treated and released. She is back at home and expected to make a full recovery.'
Police were developing leads in the most recent shooting along the south Avalon corridor, the heart of the city's first DETER zone (Data-Enhanced Targeted Enforcement and Restoration). Police launched DETER in the fall of 2017 and had successfully reduced violent crime in the area.
Patrol units were assigned to make regular passes through the zone and stop to make personal contact at residences and businesses in the area.
The first Sky Cop camera deployed in the city was mounted a short distance from the Tuesday night gun play. That camera received an upgrade including a license plate reader last summer. The camera on the corner above the new Family Dollar store had helped solve a number of crimes. The camera captured useful video helping solve fatal shootings at the Flash Market, in the street of South Avalon and Vanderbilt, and the tragic shooting of a Forrest City Officer in his South Avalon Apartment during a parking lot gang dispute.
'This is an ongoing investigation,' said Dixon. 'The video is something we are working on. Those apartment buildings, depending on the angle you never know what its going to catch. We are working on Sky Cop video.'
McClendon believed it started with a fight outside.
'There was a fight between two young men and one of them shot at the other,' said Mayor Marco McClendon in an interview Wednesday morning. 'I am not sure what has developed since I left the scene last night.'
Last Thursday, police arrested 21-year-old Mikarious Oliver and 22year-old Kendarius Wright in connection with the incident. Both suspects face multiple charges including battery, terroristic act and endangering the welfare of a minor. Investigators are still working the case to determine motive or if anyone else might have been involved in the incident.
Anyone with any information about this incident is urged to contact the West Memphis Police Department dispatch center at (870) 732-7555 or Crittenden County Crime Stoppers at (870) 732-4444. All calls will be kept confidential.
Photos courtesy of WMPD
