Police continue to investigate fatal shooting

El Dorado police are still investigating a shooting that left a 17-year-old boy dead less than 36 hours before he would have begun his senior year in high school.

Lt. Chris Lutman, public information officer for the El Dorado Police Department, said the fatal shooting of Octavious Critton Jr. on Sunday may have stemmed from a dispute on social media but investigators have not yet established a motive or identified a suspect.

Investigators have gathered numerous pieces of evidence in the case, Lutman said.

Juston A. Mayweather, 23, was also shot in the incident, which occurred in the area of California Street and Detroit Avenue. Mayweather was transported to Medical Center of South Arkansas for treatment.

On Wednesday, Lutman said he did not have an update on Mayweather’s condition or the severity of his injuries.

Critton’s body was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory in Little Rock for an autopsy. Lutman said investigators are awaiting a preliminary report from the crime lab.

Officers responded at 11:37 p.m. Sunday to a report of a shooting at 1207 Detroit. They made contact with Mayweather inside the residence and Mayweather told police the shooting had occurred across the street in the 1200 block of California.

Police found Critton unresponsive outside the residence at 1204 California. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Lutman said investigators have been interviewing witnesses and plan to speak with more than a dozen more.

“No warrants have been issued and we don’t have any suspects in custody at this time,” Lutman said. “I think we have information that it may have initiated on social media but we’re still trying to piece it all together.”

Lutman did not say if Mayweather has been able to provide additional information about the shooting.

“We have collected a bunch of evidence, so I think we’ll have some answers fairly quickly,” Lutman added.

Critton was to have started off his senior year Tuesday at El Dorado High School. He was a defensive back on the Wildcats football team.

Upon hearing the news of Critton’s death, the coaching staff canceled practice Monday morning.

Reading a statement Monday afternoon in Wildcat Arena, coach Steve Jones said, “Last night, we were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Octavius Critton … He was loved by his teammates and coaches. Octavius had a smile that would light up the room. His positive outlook on life is something I will hang onto forever. His happiness was contagious. He was a real joy to be around. We are praying for his family as they navigate through this difficult situation.”

Lutman encouraged anyone with information regarding the shooting to call 870-881-4810.