A shooting at a private gathering of around 80-100 individuals in Jonesboro, Arkansas, led to a tragic outcome on Sunday, March 10. According to the Jonesboro Police Department, the incident resulted in three deaths and numerous injuries.
Police officers responded to the scene in a downtown area at approximately 5 a.m., where they discovered several gunshot victims.
The fatalities included two individuals known to the shooter: 24-year-old Dwight Starks and 20-year-old Amari Giles, along with the shooter himself, 32-year-old Tarail Moody. Moody succumbed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
In addition to the fatalities, another woman associated with Moody was injured. Three other individuals, unconnected to the shooter, also suffered gunshot wounds. A fifth person sought medical attention later, though their relationship to Moody remains unclear. The injured ranged in age from 20-39.
The motive for the shooting and the current conditions of those hospitalized have not been released. It is speculated that the incident might have been sparked by a domestic dispute that escalated at the party. The Jonesboro Police Department is continuing its investigation and has requested any information related to the event.
The incident took place on Burke Avenue, roughly 130 miles northeast of the capital, Little Rock. To facilitate the emergency response and investigation, law enforcement promptly secured the area and imposed traffic restrictions.
Early evaluations suggest the shooting may have been triggered by a domestic disagreement that escalated during the party.
This incident adds to the growing tally of mass shootings in the United States, with over 70 reported by the Gun Violence Archive this year. The archive defines a mass shooting as an incident where at least four people are shot, excluding the shooter.
While the Jonesboro Police Department has assured the public that there is no ongoing threat and this was an isolated incident, the shooting’s ramifications are felt far and wide, highlighting the ongoing issue of gun violence.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging witnesses or anyone with pertinent information to step forward.
