Earle man charged in Jonesboro shooting gets court date

Merritt arrested after leaving wallet, ID at the scene of the crime

By Ralph Hardin

news@theeveningtimes.com

An Earle man who left a pretty important piece of evidence at the scene of his alleged crome is set to appear in court July 26 after his arrest in connection with a June 11 shooting in Jonesboro, according to authorities.

Zadarius Olando Merritt, 19, of Earle was arrested on suspicion of battery-1st degree after an investigation by Jonesboro police. A $75,000 bond was set Wednesday for Merritt by District Judge Tommy Fowler in the case.

According to a probable cause affidavit, officers went to the 2500 block of East Johnson Avenue June 11 after getting a call about shots being fired.

Police spoke with several people at the scene, who said two vehicles had left the area at a high rate of speed just after the shooting happened.

Police later found the vehicles and did a probable cause search.

“Officers would conduct a probable cause search of one of these vehicles and locate a wallet with the ID of Zadarius Merritt in it,” Jonesboro police said. Police also found shell casings where the shooting took place and spoke with the victim, who was shot.

The victimwas taken to a local hospital with a gunshot wound to the lower leg, gave detectives a social media photo of a Black male who he said shot him, as well as gave a description of the weapon used and a clothing description, police said.

“He advised he got into a physical altercation with this subject who had the firearm and made a threatening statement towards him just moments before this subject shot him,” Jonesboro police said in the affidavit.

Police later were able to identify Merritt as the suspect in the shooting, wearing clothes that matched a description given by the victim, police said.

MERRITT