77-year-old shot dead at Little Rock restaurant identified; 2 arrested, 1 sought

Marquis Parker (from left), Adrian Avery and Corey Lamonte Eskridge, all 21
Marquis Parker (from left), Adrian Avery and Corey Lamonte Eskridge, all 21

Two North Little Rock men have been arrested and a third is sought in the fatal shooting of a 77-year-old man inside a Little Rock diner Thursday, according to police.

Police said Adrian Avery and Marquis Parker, both 21, are each being held on charges of capital murder and aggravated robbery after being booked late Thursday night and Friday morning, respectively.

On Friday evening, the Little Rock Police Department named Corey Lamonte Eskridge, 21, as the third man tied to Thursday's slaying.

"If located, do not approach and immediately call 911," police said.

Authorities responded to the shooting about 12:30 p.m. at Frontier Diner at 10424 Interstate 30, which is near University Avenue in southwest Little Rock.

The victim, identified Friday afternoon as Harold Byrd of Little Rock, was shot once while standing at the cash register to pay for his meal and immediately fell to the ground, according to an officer's report. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said several witnesses reported seeing two black men armed with handguns entering the restaurant with their faces covered before one of the men fired a pistol once at Byrd.

Avery, who told police he was driving the vehicle the two men arrived in at the diner, said he was unaware of their plans to rob the restaurant.

"Once in the vehicle they told him that they had tried to rob the business and the gun went off and an 'old man' was shot," a detective said in the report.

Avery, Parker and Eskridge then fled the scene in a gold Mercury Grand Marquis that was later traced back to Avery through partial license plate information obtained from a witness, according to police.

Avery was found driving the suspected getaway vehicle in North Little Rock, according to authorities. Parker, who was later also taken into custody in North Little Rock, led detectives to the weapon, police said.

Parker and Avery remained at the Pulaski County jail as of Friday evening, records show.

The killing was Little Rock's 15th of the year.

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

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