2 held in fatal shooting at Little Rock eatery

Male victim, 77, of LR identified

Authorities work the scene of a fatal shooting at the Frontier Diner in Little Rock.
Authorities work the scene of a fatal shooting at the Frontier Diner in Little Rock.

Police on Friday arrested two men in a fatal shooting at a Little Rock diner Thursday afternoon.

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Marquis Parker and Adrian Avery, both 21, were charged with capital murder and aggravated robbery in the slaying of Harold Byrd. Police said Byrd, 77, of Little Rock was standing in line at the cash register at Frontier Diner when two armed men entered the restaurant at 12:27 p.m. One of the men, without saying a word, shot Byrd in the head.

Witnesses told police that the men then fled the business at 10424 Interstate 30 in a gold Mercury Grand Marquis, according to a police affidavit. A witness provided the car's license plate number to police, who linked the vehicle to Avery. Officers found him driving the car and arrested him about 6 p.m. in the 400 block of Middle Street in North Little Rock, an arrest report states.

Avery told investigators that he'd driven two other men to the diner, but he didn't know they intended to rob the business, according to the affidavit. Avery said he believed the men were picking up a food order.

"[Avery] stated that both subjects went into the diner and he heard a gunshot," detective Steve Moore wrote in the court filing. "Both subjects then ran back out and jumped in the car and told him to drive. Both had their faces covered and were armed with handguns. 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."

Police arrested Parker about 12:10 a.m. Friday at his home in North Little Rock at 4201 Rogers St. Parker told investigators that he was the one who shot Byrd and led officers to the gun, which was recovered as evidence, police said.

Police spokesman Richard Hilgeman said the department is searching for a third man involved in the shooting. The department said later on Twitter that the man being sought is Corey Lamonte Eskridge, 21.

An investigation is ongoing.

Avery appeared Friday morning in Little Rock District Court and pleaded innocent in the case. Judge Alice Lightle ordered him to be held at the Pulaski County jail in lieu of $100,000 bond.

Court records show Avery, who was last known to reside at 300 Parkdale St. in North Little Rock, has no prior criminal history. His next court date was set for Aug. 25.

Parker's first court appearance was set for Monday. He was also being held in the Pulaski County jail.

Byrd's death was the 15th homicide of the year in Little Rock.

Metro on 06/25/2016

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