BLYTHEVILLE -- Authorities on Monday charged a 17-year-old in the Thursday death of a Blytheville man, said Capt. Scott Adams, the commander of the Blytheville Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division.
The teenage boy, who was not named because he is a minor, faces a charge of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Lawless Kennedy, 49.
The 17-year-old denies shooting Kennedy, police said.
Police found Kennedy on the road with a gunshot wound to the head in the 700 block of South Lake Street at 12:33 p.m. Thursday. He was taken to the Great River Medical Center in Blytheville, where he was pronounced dead.
Several witnesses told police they saw a male of "small stature" running from the scene while carrying a handgun. Another witness identified the teenager and said he saw him flee in a vehicle after the witness heard several shots, Adams said.
Police conducted surveillance at the teenager's home, and Friday evening, officers arrested him as he was leaving, Adams said.
The teenager also faces a terroristic act charge in a March 15 altercation with another youth, Adams said.
Adams said the teenager is being held in the Mississippi County jail in lieu of a $125,000 bond. His next court appearance is set for May 28.
State Desk on 04/07/2015