Charges still pending against three in fatal drive-by shooting

Charges are still pending against the trio of suspects allegedly involved in a fatal drive-by shooting in Ashdown, Ark.

Circuit Judge Charles Yeargan told the suspects, who have been arrested and returned to the Little River County Circuit Court on Tuesday, the charges are still pending.

He told the suspects, who remain in custody, to return to court Tuesday in Ashdown.

Attorney Mickey Buchanan has been appointed to represent the suspects.

The three adults who have been arrested are Joshua King, 20, Brady Winship, 19, and Tenescha Wilkerson, 18. A fourth suspect in the case is a juvenile, and all from Sevier County, Ark.

The arrest affidavit—documents justifying the arrests—is expected to be filed with the court by next Tuesday.

The suspects are accused of fatally shooting Desmond Smith, 19, and wounding Samari Covington, 19, both of Ashdown.

The shooting is considered gang-related, 9th Circuit Prosecutor Bryan Chesshir said. He also said the investigation is complicated.

The 911 call about the shooting on Washington Street in Ashdown was made about 1 a.m. July 16.

Initial reports said several persons in a red Dodge Charger drove by a Washington Street house looking for one of the residents. They were told to leave by a relative who suspected they were there to fight, Ashdown Police Chief Mark Ardwin said.

Smith and Covington went out to the vehicle. Shots were fired from the vehicle, striking both men and two parked cars. The Charger then drove away.

Smith was shot in the chest and died from his injuries. Covington was shot in an arm and survived.

A witness named one of the car’s occupants.

Officers recovered 9 mm shell casings at the scene and notified surrounding law enforcement agencies.

The suspect vehicle was stopped by Sevier County Sheriff’s Office deputies and a De Queen police officer several hours later near De Queen, Ark., Ardwin said.

The four occupants of the car were taken into custody without incident.

King is being held in the Little River County jail, while Winship and Wilkerson remain in custody in the Sevier County jail. The juvenile is being held in the White River Detention Center near Batesville, Ark.