Investigation continues in shooting incident

The investigation is inching along in a shooting that left two people dead and two injured earlier this week, El Dorado police said.

Capt. Kevin Holt, public information officer for the El Dorado Police Department, said investigators are still probing the incident in which 28-year-old Aric D. Hall of El Dorado and 30-yearold Darrishica Rogers of North Little Rock were killed.

Remondo B. Caver, 29, and Marquesha D. Young, 26, both of El Dorado, were seriously injured in the shooting.

Police are continuing their search for Jacovis D. James, 23, of 1311 W. First, Apt. 73, who is wanted in connection to the shooting.

An arrest warrant has been issued for James on two counts of capital murder, two counts of attempted capital murder, aggravated robbery and an enhanced penalty of felony with a firearm.

Officers responded at approximately 12:30 a.m. to a report of shots fired at White Quarters, No. 2, and upon arrival, police saw that the front door was open and heard a woman’s voice inside the residence calling for help.

When officers entered the residence, they discovered four gunshot victims in various rooms throughout the residence.

Hall and Rogers were mortally wounded and were pronounced dead on the scene by the Union County Coroner’s Office.

The bodies have been sent to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory in Little Rock for an autopsy.

Caver and Young were transported by ambulance to Medical Center of South Arkansas. Caver was later airlifted to a Little Rock medical facility to be treated further for several gunshot wounds.

Both remained hospitalized Wednesday.

Few details have emerged about the incident as EPD investigators comb through witness interviews and evidence that was collected from the scene.

“We’re continuing to interview witnesses and processing evidence and following up on leads,” Police Chief Billy White said.

When asked if a firm motive has been established for the shooting, White said, “It’ll be speculation at this point, so I’d rather wait until the investigation is complete before commenting on that.”

A funeral for Hall has been scheduled for noon Saturday at Douglas Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.

The violent deaths of Hall and Rogers mark the third and fourth homicides to occur in El Dorado this year.

The second occurred Oct. 7. Thirty-five-year-old Darris C. Davis of Little Rock was killed in the shooting that erupted during a dispute in the area of Stuart and Elm.

Another man, Dameon S. Westbrook, 29, was injured in the shooting.

Several people, including Westbrook, have been arrested

for their alleged roles in the incident.

The suspected shooter, Ira L. Baker, Jr., 25, is still being sought on an arrest warrant for first-degree murder, first-degree battery, terroristic act, possession of a firearm by certain persons, felony with a firearm, certain offenses committed in the presence of a child, trafficking of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms and a parole violation.

That the shootings on Oct. 7 and 28 took place during the fourth annual Forty Days of Prayer has not been lost on the organizers of the event.

Forty Days is a coordinated effort to promote peace and unity in El Dorado, with spiritual support from all corners of the community.

Each day focuses on a different prayer topic and those who wish to participate are asked to direct their prayers toward the corresponding topics during the 40 days.

The campaign got under way Oct. 1 and will end Nov. 9.

As part of the event, a Prayer Walk has been scheduled for 7 p.m. at Nov. 7.

Participants will walk to different prayer stations, starting at the El Dorado Police Department and ending at the Union County Courthouse for fellowship.

James and Baker are considered to be armed and dangerous. People are asked to use extreme caution if they see either suspect.

James is described as a black male, 6 feet tall and 190 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Baker is described as a black male with a dark complexion, 6 feet, 1 inch tall and 200 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Witnesses told police the shooter, believed to be Baker, had dreadlocks.

Anyone with information on James or Baker’s whereabouts is urged to call EPD investigators at 870-881-4810 or Crime Stoppers at 870-863-INFO (4636).

Information leading to their arrests could result in a cash reward of up to $1,000 in each case. All calls will be kept confidential.