Little Rock police arrested a suspect in the Tuesday morning murder of Amy Hancock at the Otter Creek Racquet Club.
Police Chief Stuart Thomas announced the arrest of Marquel Morgan, 23, at the meeting of the Otter Creek Homeowner's Association, where Hancock worked as the secretary. Morgan had up until recently lived at 28 Legends Drive, which is in the Otter Creek neighborhood.
Morgan, a parolee, did not know Hancock, 30, authorities said. Morgan will be charged with capital murder and aggravated robbery. He's also charged in the robbery of the E-Z Mart near the neighborhood.
The association is starting an assistance fund for the Hancock's family and the $10,000 originally offered as a reward will go into that fund. Contributions are currently being accepted at the bank location or Otter Creek clubhouse. Checks are to be made out to the "Amy Hancock Family Assistance Fund." For additional information contact the bank at 978-3545 or the clubhouse at 455-2500.
Hancock, of Alexander, was found before 10 a.m. with several gunshot wounds. Her red 2006 Jeep Liberty, which had been missing from the parking lot, was recovered Tuesday night and may have provided detectives with evidence that led to the arrest.
The Homeowner's Association board of directors met in a closed session Tuesday night on the issue.
"This senseless and random act of violence shocked the closeknit Otter Creek community, surrounding neighborhoods, and businesses," the board said in a statement. The board agreed that new security measures need to be put in place but didn't reveal what those would be.
The association's board of directors will implement the following changes to help with security in the neighborhood, the group announced Wednesday night:
• A "significant" increase in electronic video surveillance in and around the clubhouse and neighborhood entrances/exits will be installed immediately. Specific location details were not disclosed as a crime deterrent.
• Normal hours of operation resumed at the clubhouse today.
• Additional magnetic door locks will be installed on clubhouse entrance doors, which can be operated remotely by office staff.
• Emergency panic buttons will be installed in strategic locations in the offices and concession stand. Lifeguards may be equipped next summer.
• Entrance/Exit gates will have the timing slowed down to reduce the speed at which cars can exit the neighborhood.
• More coordination between neighborhood leadership and LRPD crime prevention organizations.
• Emphasis on more neighborhood volunteer crime prevention involvement.
Visitation hours for Amy Hancock are set for Friday, September 12, from 5 - 7 p.m. at the Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home in Arkadelphia. Her funeral is scheduled for Saturday, September 13, at 11:00 a.m