A 24-year-old Magnolia man has been charged with first-degree murder in the Nov. 19 shooting death of Jarious Shaw.
Stephen T. Smith told his sister that he shot Shaw, 22, of Magnolia because Shaw was "messing with him" and pushed him, according to an affidavit filed in Columbia County Circuit Court.
When interviewed by police a few days later, Smith said Shaw had a gun, the affidavit said.
"Smith stated that Shaw blocked the door and went for a gun, which was in his waistband," according to the affidavit from Sgt. Dustin Cloud. "Smith stated that he then pulled out a revolver he was carrying and shot Shaw."
Smith told police that the shooting occurred inside a residence on Norma Street in Magnolia. Smith said he wasn't sure if the bullet hit Shaw. Smith said Shaw ran "around the house" and "down the street to his house," according to the affidavit.
Police found Shaw, still alive, in the backyard of a house on Norma Street. He was transported to Magnolia Regional Medical Center where he died a short time later, according to the affidavit.
Witnesses told police that Smith went to a residence on Norma Street and asked to speak with Shaw. The two men went outside, and witnesses heard a gunshot shortly afterward, authorities said.
Smith was arrested Nov. 24 in Bossier City, La., by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, according to a news release from the Magnolia Police Department. Smith told police that he stayed at the Horseshoe Bossier City Hotel after the shooting, the affidavit said.
"Smith stated that during the three days at the hotel he ate his meals at the hotel and went to a 12:45 p.m. movie at a movie theater that was close by," according to the affidavit. "Smith stated that on the way to Bossier City, he threw the gun out of the window but didn't know exactly where," the affidavit said.
Smith was convicted of robbery in 2012. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison, but the sentence was suspended after five years, according to Arkansas' Administrative Office of the Courts website.
Metro on 01/25/2019