West Memphis holds prayer meeting in wake of violence

Mayor calls on the community to “get involved” in the fight against crime

news@theeveningtimes.com

By DON WILBURN

A wave of violence has swept through the Mid-South in recent weeks, and the West Memphis community is coming together in hopes of stemming the tide of crime and tragedy.

On a _ttingly gloomy Friday afternoon last week, nearly 100 participants gathered at West Memphis City Hall for a citywide prayer service.

Forced indoors due to rain, West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon addressed the crowd and called for the community to “get involved” in addressing crime in the city Though already planned for the evening, the gathering turned into an impromptu vigil held in memory of Allison Parker who was brutally slain when a 19-yearold gunman went on a violent rampage Wednesday in neighboring Memphis, Tennessee. Apostle Jonathon Davis from Kingdom Seekers International led the community in prayer with Parker’s family in attendance.

The Mayor commended local police for keeping citizens safe and said that he is pursuing a new collaboration between law enforcement organizations in the midsouth termed the Tri-State Information and Intelligence Sharing Agency. The purpose of this agency would be to coordinate and share real- time crime related information between Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi. The Mayor continued saying that “Their crimes are our crimes and our crimes are de_nitely their crimes.”

Parker, 38, worked across the street from City Hall at Dr. Trent Pierce’s Family Practice Center as a nurse. In a Facebook post, the Family Practice Center released the following statement: “Our of_ce is grieving the loss of our medical assistant, Allison Parker. She was a victim of the tragic violence in Memphis yesterday. Please pray for her family and our entire of_ce staff as we try to process this senseless loss.”

West Memphis has been rocked by crime in recent months, including the shooting death of a 2-year-old boy that also saw his mother shot. Three suspects are in custody, charged with murder.

Police are currently seeking help in identifying the suspects in an armed robbery an aggravated robbery case at the Shell Gas Station at 3900 Petro Rd. On Sept. 7, at 1:47 a.m., of_cers responded to 3900 Petro Rd., in reference to an armed robbery of that business.

See PRAYER, page A3

Community prayers go out to the family of Allison Parker and all those affected by recent violence in the Mid-South.

Photos by Don Wilburn

Mayor Marco McClendon and Apostle Jonathon Davis from Kingdom Seekers International lead the West Memphis community in prayer.

From page A1

According to WMPD reports: “Of_cers on the scene spoke with the store clerk and were able to look at surveillance footage of the incident to see what had occurred… three black male suspects entered the store and two suspects were armed with handguns. A fourth female black suspect was sitting in, what appeared to be a silver In_nity QX50, acting as a lookout.”

Police are hoping the old adage, “If you see something, say something” will compel someone to come forward.

“We are asking the public for your assistance in identifying the suspects involved,” said police. “Anyone wishing to give information can call the West Memphis Police Department Criminal Investigative Division at 870-7327554. Please reference the incident number (Incident #22-03503) when calling. If you wish to remain anonymous, we strongly encourage you to call the Crittenden County Crime Stoppers number at 870) 732-4444.”

The West Memphis Police Department, who kept watch along the I-55 Wednesday night to prevent a mobile mass shooter from entering Arkansas, were on hand for the prayer meeting.