Authorities in Jonesboro have charged a 20-year-old man in connection with a shooting that injured a juvenile after an alleged marijuana sale escalated, according to court documents.
On Oct. 16, officers responded to a shooting on Westwood Drive. A woman reported her daughter was nearly struck by gunfire as a red or maroon pickup truck sped away. Neighbors told police they witnessed two juvenile males speaking with the occupants of the vehicle moments before shots were fired. Several residents also provided video footage to investigators, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Police later identified one of the juveniles as having a laceration on his calf and ankle consistent with a bullet grazing his leg. Statements from witnesses indicated that the truck had arrived at the scene for a marijuana sale. When the juveniles decided not to make the purchase, documents allege, the front-seat passenger pulled out a handgun and fired at them while the vehicle sped away.
Using intersection cameras, officers identified the truck’s license plate and tracked it to an address on Oriole Drive. There, officers detained three individuals they said confirmed being in the vehicle during the shooting. One of them, Laryarbrough Lemont Mullins, was identified as the suspected shooter.
Police say Mullins admitted during questioning that he was in the front-middle passenger seat at the time and fired his weapon because he believed the juveniles were trying to rob him. Officers recovered the firearm during a search of the vehicle.
Mullins was arrested and charged with first-degree battery, a Class B felony, and aggravated assault, a Class D felony. The court set his bond at $250,000 cash or surety and ordered that he wear an ankle monitor if released. His next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 23.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are continuing to review evidence from the scene.