Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – April 17, 2024 – Jonesboro police said in a report dated Tuesday, April 16, that the man who died in a shooting on Friday night, April 12, was killed while committing a robbery.
On Friday night, April 12, at about 9:55 p.m. officers responded to a shooting at the Race Street Market on the corner of Race Street and Richardson Drive.
When officers arrived, they found 18-year-old Lamarion Bailey, deceased from an apparent gunshot wound. Officers later reported that 23-year-old Damariante Russell had been taken to a local hospital with an apparent gunshot wound to the right side of his chest.
Bailey was the suspect in a robbery that took place prior to the shooting, according to police. According to today’s report, Bailey was robbing Russell, and both were shot.
Original police reports listed a 14-year-old as the primary suspect and said that the subject was being interviewed to determine their involvement in the crime. The 14-year-old was removed from subsequent reports and replaced with 23-year-old Damariante Russell listed as the suspect.
Today’s report said, “Criminal Killed in Commission of a Crime.”
The case is now listed as closed.
Police Chief Rick Elliott said that while JPD’s investigation is completed, the 2nd Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Office will make the final decision as to whether it was a justifiable homicide.
Jonesboro Police Officer Zachary Williamson wrote in his report, “(We were sent) in reference to a subject who had been shot. Prior to my arrival, dispatch advised there was possibly a subject actively shooting inside the gas station.
“Upon my arrival, (Officer Issa) Orday was just arriving on scene. At this time, we positioned our vehicles near Race and Richardson. We did not hear or see any shots being fired. We made contact with a male who was standing outside the building. The subject advised there was someone lying on the ground on the other side of a car. When asked, the subject did not advise anyone with a gun was inside the store. The subject was instructed to put his hands up and walk slowly towards us, which he did without incident.”
Williamson continued his narrative, “After other officers arrived on scene, a plan was made to approach the vehicle in the parking lot and the front of the store. While we approached the vehicle, I noticed several holes in the doors and windows of the car. I could also see a subject lying on the ground on the south side of the vehicle. After the car was cleared, I went to the other side of the car where the subject was lying and checked the subject for a pulse, but I could not find one. Officers then went to the front of the store and with the help of dispatch, all workers were removed from the store. Myself and assisting officers then entered the store and cleared the building. No subjects were found inside.”