Police: Suspect in armed robberies near UALR now faces capital-murder charge

Michael Gardner
Michael Gardner

A man already being held in connection with two armed robberies near the University of Arkansas at Little Rock now faces a capital-murder charge in the city’s 12th homicide of 2016, according to police.

The Little Rock Police Department on Wednesday announced the additional charge against Michael Gardner, 44, in the death of 62-year-old Gwenda Moorman.

[INTERACTIVE MAP: 2016 Little Rock homicides]

Moorman was found dead in the kitchen of her home at 3914 W. 11th St. on May 28 when police responded to a call of a possible burglary, according to authorities.

Gardner was arrested May 29 on three counts of aggravated robbery and three counts of theft of property after a carjacking and gas station robbery earlier that month, both along South University Avenue, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette previously reported.

The first robbery was reported May 6 when when cellphones were stolen at gunpoint from a couple's 2015 Chevrolet Impala in the parking lot of the Town & County Shopping Center near Asher and University avenues.

The latter report came May 8 at a Shell convenience store at 3200 South University Ave.

Gardner has remained at the Pulaski County jail since the date of his arrest, according to police. Records show he is being held without bond.

Read Thursday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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