Police arrest suspect, 18, in HS drive-by shooting
An 18-year-old who allegedly shot a 16-yearold male in the head, critically injuring him, in a drive- by shooting Thursday evening was arrested Saturday morning on felony charges.
Dyonsae Merraye Famous, 18, of Hot Springs, was taken into custody at the Hot Springs Police Department shortly before 11 a.m. and charged with first-degree unlawful discharge of a firearm from a vehicle, punishable by up to life in prison, and first-degree battery, punishable by up to 20 years.
Famous, who lists no prior criminal history, was being held
on a $100,000 bond and was set to appear Monday in Garland County District Court.
According to an earlier news release from police, at 5:44 p.m. Thursday, officers responded to the 300 block of Potter Street regarding a shooting that had just occurred and upon arrival were told the victim had been taken to National Park Medical Center by private vehicle.
According to the probable cause affidavit obtained Monday, Detectives responded to NPMC and made contact with the victim, 16, who was suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. The victim was alert and able to tell Detective Mark Fallis he was standing outside a residence at 302 Potter helping his mother get dinner out of the car.
He said he saw a car driving down the street with its headlights off. As the car passed, he said he saw the driver, whom he recognized as Famous, point a gun at him and shoot, striking him in the head.
A female witness who was also standing outside the residence told police she saw a car driven by Famous “riding by slowly.” She noted she has seen Famous riding slowly through the area several times and knew him “to have an issue with the juvenile victim.”
As the car passed the residence, she said she heard a loud gunshot and saw the juvenile get hit. She said she then drove the victim to NPMC. The victim was later transferred to a hospital in Little Rock for further treatment and was listed in critical condition as of Friday. A warrant was later issued for Famous’ arrest.