Fifth suspect ID’d in Bowens murder
Barnes ‘considered armed and dangerous’
El Dorado police are looking for a fifth suspect connection to a shooting that left one man dead and another injured in December.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Sequinta D. Barnes, 23, of El Dorado, who is wanted for his alleged role in the slaying of 30-year-old James D. Bowens Jr.
Bowens was fatally shot on the night of Dec. 28 as he slept inside a vehicle in the parking lot of Hudson Place Apartments, 301 Hudson.
Police responded at midnight to a report of a shooting in the area. Bowens was reportedly struck in the neck and shoulder while he was asleep in the front passenger’s seat of the vehicle. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
Another 30-year-old man, Bowens’s cousin, was shot several times as he left an apartment and walked toward the vehicle in which Bowens was sleeping.
The second shooting victim was transported to Medical Center of South Arkansas for treatment of his injuries. He has since been released from the hospital, police said.
His name has still not been publicly released. Police have cited the ongoing investigation.
Officers have not said if they have established a motive for the shooting or the connection between the victims and the suspects.
Barnes is wanted on several felony charges, including capital murder, criminal attempt - capital murder, terroristic act, first-degree battery, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by certain persons, carrying a weapon, enhanced penalty - felony with a firearm and enhanced penalty - engaging in violent criminal group activity.
Investigators have said multiple shooters were involved in the incident, in which dozens of rounds were reportedly fired.
They have declined to release any other details about the case.
Three other men have been arrested in connection to the shooting and are being held in the Union County jail on similar charges.
Deunte J. Williams, 20; Markevius D. Blake, 19; and Johnathan D. Boykin, 20, were identified as suspects and taken into custody last month.
All three are from the Little
Rock-Pine Bluff area. They had first appearance hearings in 35th Judicial District Court in February.
Because of the nature of the offenses, specifically the capital murder charges, a bond was not recommended during their first appearances.
Each defendant faces possible penalties that include life in prison without the possibility of parole or death by lethal injection.
A 25-year-old El Dorado woman, Rennisha Green, was also arrested last month for hindering apprehension or prosecution, tampering with physical evidence and other charges.
Barnes is considered armed and dangerous and police are urging extreme caution.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts may call Lt. Jarod Primm, of the El Dorado Police Department’s Criminal Investigative Division, at 870-881-4810 or Crime Stoppers at 870-863-INFO (4636).
Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to Barnes’s arrest All calls will be kept confidential.