Arrests made in Fayetteville shooting

FAYETTEVILLE — Two teens arrested in connection with the shooting of Austin King could be tried as adults.

Police arrested two juveniles Tuesday in connection with attempted capital murder in the Sept. 6 shooting at 780 E. Bryan Lane. King, 17, was shot in the neck.

King remains hospitalized in the intensive care unit at Washington Regional Medical Center, according

to his father.

Prosecutor Matt Durrett said Wednesday no decision has been made on whether the two arrested will be charged as juveniles or as adults. Under Arkansas law, juveniles may be tried as adults in some instances, depending on the severity of the crime.

One juvenile was arrested in connection with attempted capital murder, tampering with physical evidence,

aggravated robbery and being a minor in possession of a handgun.

A second juvenile was arrested in connection with accomplice to attempted capital murder, accomplice to aggravated robbery and tampering with physical evidence.

Police haven’t released any details about the shooting or about the two individuals who were arrested, other than to confirm they were both in their teens.

Kevin King, Austin King’s father, said Wednesday his son is making “slow, steady progress” dealing with paralysis

from damage to his spinal cord. He said he has some control over movement of his right arm and he’s seen some movement of his son’s left arm and leg.

Kevin King said the family is making plans for Austin King to begin rehabilitative therapy when he can be released from intensive care. He described the situation as “crushing” for the family.

“It’s beyond a person’s ability to imagine the horror it creates,” he said.

King said he hoped people could learn a lesson from his son and the “tragic” turn his life has taken.

“There are consequences to our decisions and our choices,” he said. “I guarantee you that if Austin had the choice to get in that car with those young men and do whatever was being done, he’d change it and his life would be different.

“I’d like to believe that those two, whatever kind of miscreants they may be, if they could, they’d change it, too. A 17-year-old boy got shot senselessly.”