A second homicide suspect in the Friday shooting death of Markee Avery has surrendered to authorities, the Pine Bluff Police Department announced.
The Police Department posted on social media, citing detectives, that Lamarcus Benton, 39, turned himself in peacefully with his attorney Wednesday. He was wanted in connection with the shooting on South Spruce Street.
Police announced Tuesday they were seeking Benton shortly after reporting that Michael King Jr., 37, turned himself in at headquarters. Both suspects are in the W.C. “Dub” Brassell Detention Center on suspicion of capital murder, while King also faces a charge of first-degree battery. Police say Benton is King’s brother.
Benton will likely face a probable-cause hearing Friday in Jefferson County District Court.
King was ordered held without bail in the county jail during a Wednesday hearing. He turned himself in to police headquarters Tuesday, a day after police say he was initially expected to report for an interview.
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According to an affidavit by police Detective Ryan Edwards, Avery, 36, was found lying in the yard Friday afternoon at 1212 S. Spruce St. with a gunshot wound and graze wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Avery’s brother, Diamante Avery, was also shot during the incident, according to the affidavit. The survivor reportedly suffered a graze wound to the back and fled the scene prior to the officers’ arrival.
The brothers were reportedly working a plumbing job when Markee Avery received a call informing him that some individuals were outside his residence. A fight had occurred and Benton and King were obviously shooting, according to the affidavit.
King reportedly told police he was at the residence to retrieve his vehicles. He reportedly denied firing any shots or possessing a firearm and claimed he fled the scene.
In another hearing, a District Court judge found probable cause to hold Dicoreon Ford, 18, without bail on suspicion of capital murder. Ford is accused of shooting Floyd Cornell Allen III, 14, to death in the area of 25th Avenue and South Maple Street on Saturday evening.
According to an affidavit by police Detective Jason Boykin, Ford appeared to have been shot several times, with several 9mm shell casings found in the front living room at 2501 S. Maple St. A witness reportedly stated Ford, Allen and another man were there at the time of the shooting.
Ford reportedly went to the back of the house and started shooting at Allen, then dragged the youngster’s body across the street, according to the affidavit. Ford reportedly told police Allen was “looking at him crazy like he was going to do something, so he shot him before (Allen) could shoot.”
The affiant reported Ford kept changing his story from acting in self-defense to another witness shooting Allen.
Pine Bluff Police met with Arkansas County sheriff’s deputies and police in Stuttgart and located Ford at a residence there Monday evening. Ford reportedly put his hands up and was placed in custody.
A Taurus 9mm handgun was found in the master bedroom closet of the residence where Ford was located, according to the affidavit.
Allen was set to enter the ninth grade at Pine Bluff Junior High School.
Capital murder convictions would carry either the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole. Ford and King indicated they would hire their own attorneys.
Detectives are still investigating all circumstances surrounding Avery’s death, police say. Anyone with additional information is asked to call the detective division at (870) 730-2090, the tip line at (870) 730-2106, or the dispatch center at (870) 541-5300.