Violent end to 2021, violent start to 2022

Shootings mar festive time of year in community

By JOHN RECH

news@theeveningtimes.com

It’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but the Christmas and New Year’s season saw a pair of violent incidents in the West Memphis community.

Christmas Eve Drive-By

West Memphis Police reported being on the lookout for a silver SUV after a Christmas Eve drive-by shooting in the neighborhood next to Big Star on West Broadway. The police issued a narrative about the incident and asked the public for leads in the case.

“On December 24, 2021, officers responded to 429 West Broadway (Big Star) in reference to a person being shot. After investigation, it was determined that the shooting took place in front of 328 W. Bond Avenue. There was one victim, who was transported to Regional One with a gunshot wound to the torso.”

Authorities expected the unnamed victim to recover from his injuries. This shooting occurred, while the vehicle was in motion. The suspect was driving a silver SUV.”

New Year’s Shooting

It’s the law of gravity – what goes up, must come down. Many West Memphians took their guns outside for a midnight salute to the new year. The tradition marred ringing in 2022 as one man was struck in the chest during the celebratory barrage on the east side of the city.

West Memphis Police issued a summary in the case.

“On December 31, 2021, officers responded to the 600 block of North 32nd Street, in reference to person being shot. Patrol officers located the male victim. He was transported to Baptist Crittenden by private vehicle,

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where he was stabilized. Once stable, he was then transported to Regional One.”

Detectives began investigating and locating witnesses. Upon speaking to witnesses, it was determined that the shooting victim sustained a gunshot wound from a stray bullet. This incident is a perfect example of the dangers of recklessly shooting guns into the air with complete disregard of the safety of others.”

Reckless gunplay has become a sad tradition in the city on Independence Day and New Year’s Eve when fireworks become available. This incident was similar to two seperate holiday shooting scenes blighting the July 4 weekend. A man wounded himself in an accidental discharge of his weapon and charged with possession of a weapon by a felon. A woman died while sitting in her car after being struck by a bullet as bullets rained from the sky at a motel in the evening hours on Independence Day. The police bulletin concluded with best wishes for the man wounded on New Year’s Eve along a request from the community. ”Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. We pray for a speedy recovery of the victim.”

Both of these cases are considered ongoing investigations. If anyone has information to aid in these investigations, please contact the Criminal Investigations Division of the West Memphis Police Department at 870732-7554.