Rogers man pleads not guilty in shooting

BENTONVILLE — A Rogers man pleaded not guilty Monday to charges he shot and injured two people.

Devon

Blake Russell, 24, is charged with two counts of first-degree battery. He entered the plea at his video arraignment before Benton County Circuit Judge Brad Karren.

Russell, who is being held in the Benton County Jail on a $250,000 bond, was arrested Nov. 11 in connection with a shooting at McDonald’s at 903 W. Walnut St. in Rogers.

Darla Ferguson told police she and two other people arranged to meet Russell at the restaurant, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Ferguson said Russell was under the impression she, Charles Rogers and Spencer King were going to sell him drugs, according to the affidavit.

She said Russell owed them money from a previous drug deal, so they were using the arranged meeting as a ploy to get money from him.

Ferguson said they crushed up Alka-Seltzer and packaged it in a plastic bag to resemble a drug, according to the affidavit. She met with Russell in the McDonald’s parking lot while King and Rogers waited where Russell couldn’t see them. Ferguson said when Russell got into the front passenger seat of her car, King and Rogers got in the back.

Rogers got out of the car and pulled Russell out of the front seat, according to court documents.

Ferguson said she heard Rogers say, “Don’t draw, don’t draw,” and Rogers got in the front passenger seat and told her to leave, according to the affidavit. She said she heard five gunshots. King was shot twice in his chest, and Rogers was shot in the shoulder.

Russell told police Rogers and King robbed him at knifepoint, and he was able to get away and shot at Rogers, according to court documents. Russell said he didn’t know King also was shot, according to the affidavit.

A hearing is scheduled for Feb. 26.

Russell, if convicted, faces five to 20 years in prison on each battery count.

Russell