Another suspect arrested in connection to fatal shooting at Osceola restaurant

OSCEOLA, Ark. (KAIT) - Police arrested another suspect this week in connection with a fatal March 7 shooting at an Osceola restaurant.

Interim Police Chief William Skaggs told K8 News that officers arrested Cavonta Washington was arrested in regard to the shooting at Cielito Lindo, 4635 West Keiser Ave.

According to inmate records, Washington was booked into the Mississippi County Detention Center April 29 on the same charges as Armone Sincere Wilkins, Glenn Brown Jr., Jamarius Winda, Dekes Slayton, Marcus Slayton, and Kani Turner:

• First-degree murder
• First-degree battery
• Aggravated assault
• Terroristic act
• Engaging in contact with a criminal gang

Washington and Turner are currently being held without bond

As of May 1, the Slaytons were free on bond.

According to inmate records, Wilkins is being held on a $1.1 million bond, Winda’s bond is $1.25 million and Brown’s bond is set at $2.5 million.

Shooting timeline

The shooting occurred March 7 at Cielito Lindo, 4635 West Keiser Ave.

When officers arrived, three victims had been transported by personal vehicles to South Mississippi County Regional Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

A fourth victim, Keamar’Jae Wilkins, 19, was pronounced dead at the medical center.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Osceola Police Department at 870-563-5213.

Fear sets in following shooting

Community members — including both Osceola residents and out-of-town visitors — said the shooting has left them concerned about safety in the city.

“I think people should be able to go out to eat and enjoy themselves without having to duck and dodge bullets,” said Shanika Mayfield, an Osceola resident. “Everybody needs to just come together.”

Fred Jones, a Jonesboro resident, said he believes stronger laws are needed.

“The laws should get stiffer than what it is right now with people shooting and gun laws, and all that,” Jones said.

Cetrick Crockett, also from Jonesboro, echoed that sentiment.

“I just think the community should just stick together and be more protective over the gun violence,” Crockett said.

Jakeya Green, who has lived in Osceola for seven years, said the violence has reached a point where she no longer feels safe.

“It’s a lot of people that be shooting and killing, and I have a son,” Green said. “As a mother, I just feel like this is not a place for our kids.”

Osceola Mayor Joe Harris Jr. said the city is working to improve public safety.

“We started a street task force, and since we started that last year, crime is down 25%,” Harris said. “We have got our officers doing more training — very intense training now on what to do, what not to do, how to connect with the businesses and the residents.”

Mayor Harris said the safety of residents and visitors remains the city’s top priority.

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