Two men wanted in a killing surrendered to Blytheville police Friday morning after a night of what police called retaliatory shootings for the death.
Michael King, 21, and Michael Jackson, 24, both of Blytheville, surrendered to Blytheville police at 4 a.m. Friday. They were wanted on warrants accusing them of capital murder and aggravated robbery, said Capt. Scott Adams, commander of the Blytheville Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division.
The two are accused in the slaying of Yuri McKeever, 27. Police found McKeever's body inside his home at 409 S. First St. on Wednesday. Adams said McKeever had suffered from "obvious head trauma."
McKeever was friends with King and Jackson, Adams said.
Police received at least 11 reports of gunfire in a central Blytheville neighborhood near where McKeever was killed about 16 hours after warrants for King and Jackson were obtained, Adams said.
Officers first responded to 513 S. First St. at 2:10 p.m. Thursday. Someone shot several times at the home, but no one was injured.
Police returned to the home at 10:49 p.m. Thursday. A woman inside the home said she was in bed and heard numerous gunshots. Officers found several bullet holes in the house that went through walls, Adams said.
The woman said she believed the gunfire was in retaliation to McKeever's death because she is related to King.
A person who answered the telephone Friday at the house said she was afraid to talk about the spate of gunfire.
"It was bad," said the woman, who would not give her name. "It was very bad. We had to go spend the night in a hotel."
Another relative of King told police that someone had also fired shots at her home Thursday evening. She said a family member also received death threats through social media.
At 12:25 a.m. Friday, officers were called to 110 E. Rose St. where another relative of King said her house had been shot.
About two hours later, officers heard gunshots near Franklin and Sycamore streets. They found Reginald King, 35, holding a Kel-Tec 9 mm handgun and ordered him to put it on the ground. Police arrested him, Rodney King, 28, and Stephon King, 24, and charged them with terroristic acts, criminal mischief and carrying a weapon.
Officers reported that while transporting the three to the Mississippi County jail in Luxora, Rodney King said, "They were shooting at us, so we shot back."
At 4 a.m. Friday, Michael King and Jackson went to the Blytheville Police Department to surrender.
"They were with another person," Adams said. "Cooler heads prevailed. They may have thought it was safer to be in jail.
"Apparently, if you commit a crime in Blytheville, you are subjecting yourself to crime."
Police also responded to several reports of gunfire on South Franklin Street at 6:48 a.m. Friday. Officers found a Cobra .32-caliber handgun under a car parked next to a home at 504 S. Franklin St.
The shootings Thursday and Friday came after several shooting reports and a homicide in May in Blytheville.
Jeffery Richardson, 34, was fatally shot May 14 in the 200 block of South Lilly Street.
Police responded to 11 reports of gunfire during a four-day period in May. Adams said they were not related to Richardson's slaying.
Mayor James Sanders said city leaders have urged residents to report any suspicious activity to police. City officials also have gone on the radio to warn residents of the recent run of violence.
The Police Department doubled the number of officers on the street Thursday and Friday, and it is expected to place additional officers on stand-by in case more shootings occur over the weekend, Adams said.
"Families are hurt during tragic incidents," Adams said. "However, street justice is not the way to handle any situation and will not be tolerated. We will arrest everyone for the crimes they do regardless of the circumstances."
State Desk on 06/11/2016