Witnesses and the surviving victim of Saturday morning’s shooting at a south Little Rock apartment complex told police that two men shot at the victims. Only one person, Robert Edwards, has been arrested.
According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Anthony Neal III, 20, told police he was shot by two young black men at the Spanish Jon’s Apartments at 5001 W. 65th St. Witnesses identified Edwards as one of the shooters, the affidavit said, also saying another black man shot at Neal and Michael Lee. Responding officers found Lee, 21, lying dead in the breezeway of Building D. He had been shot in the head.
Officer Richard Hilgeman, a spokesman for Little Rock police, said he had no new information to disclose regarding the shooting. He added that he would not speculate if more information would be released.
[INTERACTIVE MAP: 2016 Little Rock homicides]
According to the affidavit, witnesses said Edwards and Lee got into an argument before Edwards, also called “Lil’ Rob,” and another man started shooting at Lee and Neal. The witnesses identified Edwards after looking at photos.
Edwards, 21, of Little Rock made his first appearance in Little Rock district court Tuesday morning. He pleaded not guilty, and his bail was set at $100,000.
During the hearing, Jimmy Morris, Edwards’ attorney, argued for a lower bond because his client turned surrendered to police Monday. He said Edwards is not a flight risk, asking for bail to be set at $25,000.
Morris also said there were questions about whether Edwards was the one who shot first.
Police responded to the shooting Saturday around 4:50 a.m., the Arkansas Democrat Gazette previously reported. Shortly after they arrived at the apartment complex and found Lee, officers received a call from the emergency room staff at UAMS. The affidavit said they told police a man, Neal, had arrived at the hospital for treatment on multiple gunshot wounds.
Detectives spoke to Neal, who told them he had been shot by two people. On Tuesday, the judge ordered a no-contact order between Edwards and Neal.
Lee's death was the 21st Little Rock homicide of 2016.
Read Wednesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.
