Suspect in shooting that killed 1-year-old Newport baby appears - KAIT-Jonesboro, AR-News, weather, sports

Suspect in shooting that killed 1-year-old Newport baby appears in court

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Robert Friar (Source: Jackson County Sheriff's Department) Robert Friar (Source: Jackson County Sheriff's Department)
(Source: Aguirre Family) (Source: Aguirre Family)
Delana Aguirre (Source: Wesley Tapp - Family Friend) Delana Aguirre (Source: Wesley Tapp - Family Friend)
Delana Aguirre (Source: Wesley Tapp - Family Friend) Delana Aguirre (Source: Wesley Tapp - Family Friend)
Scene of the shooting in Newport on Feb 27, 2013 Scene of the shooting in Newport on Feb 27, 2013

NEWPORT, AR (KAIT) – The man accused of shooting and killing a 1 year old Newport baby appeared in court Monday.

According to the Jackson County Circuit Court, 35-year-old Robert Friar had his murder case continued to May 16, while they work on assigning a public defender.

According to Newport Police, 35-year-old Robert Friar shot into the bedroom of a home in the 1700 block of Daughtery Street around 2:30a in morning on February 27.

Police say, 21-year-old Delana Aguirre was shot approximately 3 or 4 times in the torso. One-year-old Tacari Danielle Briggs was lying in the bed, and also suffered a gunshot wound.

Court documents state Delana and Tacari had been asleep in one of the bedrooms when the shooting happened.

Several attempts were made to save Tacari, but they were unsuccessful. One-year-old Tacari was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Aguirre was airlifted to UAMS in Little Rock, and was released a few days later.

Newport police received a 911 call from woman telling dispatchers that someone had shot her daughter and granddaughter multiple times through the window of their bedroom.

According to an affidavit, Aguirre told investigators she and Friar had been in a relationship. Aguirre told police she had been threatened by Friar recently, noting a text message from him telling her to "kiss her mom and kids goodbye."

Aguirre says Friar called her just before the shooting and said something inaudible before simultaneously firing into the home with his .380 caliber handgun.

Officers found Friar around 4:12a walking near Garfield Street, and took him into custody. 

Friar is being charged with capital murder and is being held without bond. He's pleaded not guilty.

Friar is set to appear again in court on May 16.

Region 8 News will continue to track this story and provide any updates as soon as they become available.

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