Authorities in Arkansas are investigating reports of shots fired Saturday outside a church where a funeral was taking place for a homicide victim.
No injuries were reported in the incident at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Urbana. Union County Sheriff Ricky Roberts said his agency is asking the public for help.
Darris C. Davis, 35, of Little Rock was killed in a shooting Oct. 7 in the area of Stuart and Elm streets in El Dorado.
His funeral was scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, and Roberts said deputies responded about 2:30 p.m. to a report of shots fired outside the church.
“At this point, we don’t have much to go on. We don’t know a whole lot. There weren’t very many people who witnessed it,” Roberts said Saturday.
At least one person involved, a black male, was wearing white pants, witnesses said.
“One person told us that the guy had a pistol, which may be the reason we didn’t find any shell casings. It may have been a revolver,” Roberts explained.
Dameon S. Westbrook, 29, who was injured in the shooting, and Zachary C. McGhee, 20, both face charges of first-degree murder, possession of a firearm by certain persons, committing a felony with a firearm, penalty enhancement for committing an offense in the presence of a child and parole violation.
McGhee was also charged with first-degree battery and possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver.
Westbrook faces two counts of committing a terroristic act.
El Dorado police are still searching for the suspected shooter, 25-year-old Ira. L. Baker of El Dorado, with the assistance of U.S. marshals. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.
The shooting reportedly stemmed from a parking dispute. The investigation is ongoing, police have said.
“It’s a sad situation when things like this happen, when people are trying to bury their loved ones,” Roberts said. “This is something you hear of in big cities and now it’s happening in our small community. We don’t know if the guys involved are actually from here.”
