Multiple shootings putting a strain on Jonesboro police

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - After three shootings throughout the city of Jonesboro within a 12-hour span, Police Chief Rick Elliott spoke to Region 8 News Thursday about the stress it has put on his department.

“We try to get on these cases as quickly as possible,” Elliott said.

Around 10 p.m. Wednesday, investigators began what would end up being a busy 12 hours.

“Most of these investigators were out last night and have not been to bed since,” Elliott said Thursday afternoon. “They start on the case and stay on it sometimes 12, 15, 20 hours.”

The first shooting happened at Oak Avenue and Vine Street.

It was later learned that a second shooting happened around that some time at the Park Lake Apartments on Kristi Lake Drive.

Hours later, just before 6:30 Thursday morning, investigators turned their attention to a third shooting on Burke Avenue.

Three shootings so close together has been a tall order for Chief Elliott’s department.

“It’s stretched our criminal investigation division staff a little thin,” he said.

Despite the strain, he is proud of his team.

By Thursday afternoon, following hours of work, his investigators had processed three different crime scenes, interviewed multiple witnesses, and arrested one person in connection with the Burke shooting.

“We found some camera footage off of a surveillance camera, which led to identifying the suspect and we subsequently located the clothing and the gun that we believe was used in the shooting,” Elliott said.

The motive in the Burke Avenue shooting remains unclear, but the suspect will appear in court Friday for a probable cause hearing.

Once charges are filed, police say the suspect’s name will be released.

As far as the other two shootings, no arrests have been made.

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