State briefs
Little Rock police concerned for safety at concerts
LITTLE ROCK — Little Rock’s police chief says his department is looking for the best way to monitor possible danger at performances and events without discouraging musicians from coming to Arkansas.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports the Little Rock Police Department has twice sent letters of concern this month to a concert venue hosting a hip-hop show.
In the latest letter, dated Tuesday, the chief expresses concern about security at an upcoming meet-and-greet with hip-hop artist Jacquees. The letter cites violence at some of the artist’s past shows, including one in Iowa.
Police Chief Kenton Buckner stressed that his department hasn’t demanded the cancellation of a show or pressured venues to do so.
He says the department is trying to balance ensuring safety while protecting the free speech of artists and concert goers.
Ex-Veteran’s Affairs trainee pleads guilty to stealing drugs
LITTLE ROCK — The third of three former Veteran’s Affairs employees in Arkansas has pleaded guilty to conspiring to steal prescription drugs from the VA hospital in Little Rock.
Court records show 43-yearold Nikita Neal of Little Rock pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Little Rock to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone in exchange for prosecutors dismissing two other conspiracy charges.
Prosecutors say Neal was a pharmacy technician trainee at the hospital and conspired with two pharmacy technicians to steal
4,000 oxycodone pills, 3,300 hydrocodone pills and other drugs at a cost to the VA of $77,700 and a street value of $160,000.
The two other defendants pleaded guilty earlier to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone and each of the three faces up to 20 years in prison.
Arkansas boy dies after wrestling brother for rifle
PINE BLUFF — Authorities in Arkansas say a 12-year-old boy has died from a gunshot wound to the neck after wrestling with his brother for a rifle.
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Lafayette Woods Jr. says the boy died Thursday evening at his home after the weapon accidentally discharged.
Woods says investigators have learned the boy and his 13-yearold brother began wrestling over the firearm that their father, Derick Shelton, kept in their residence. Woods says Shelton had left the home “for a brief moment.”
Police say the boy was immediately transported to a local hospital, but had already succumbed to his injury.
No charges are expected against the boy’s brother.