Fatal shooting suspect ordered held on $10M bond

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - A judge set a bond for a man accused in a Monday night fatal shooting at $10 million.

Craighead County District Court Judge David Boling found probable cause Wednesday to charge 19-year-old Laroy Starks with murder.

Starks is accused of gunning down 18-year-old Roderick Hale of Osceola shortly before midnight Aug. 9 at the Citgo station in the 3900-block of South Caraway.

In addition to setting his bond at $10 million, Boling ordered Starks to appear in circuit court on Sept. 30.

During the afternoon probable cause hearing, Prosecuting Attorney Charlene Henry cited Starks’ lengthy criminal history, as well as being a flight risk, and that he was arrested by U.S. Marshals on I-55 near Burdette, as reasons for a high bond.

Boling agreed, setting the bond and appointing a public defender for Starks.

AFFIDAVIT

According to a probable cause affidavit, Jonesboro police went to the gas station after getting a call about the shooting.

Hale’s body was found near the front of the store and police later looked at surveillance video of the scene.

“Surveillance footage from the station was reviewed and the victim can be seen arriving there. He then exits his vehicle and enters the store. A short time after a black male, later identified as Starks, arrives at the station in a passenger car,” Jonesboro police said. “As he begins to enter (the store), he and the victim are seen bumping into one another. Starks then pulls out a handgun and shoots the victim, killing him. Starks is then seen bending down and taking a handgun which fell from the pocket of the victim. Starks can then be seen shooting at a passenger of the victim’s vehicle before running off-camera on foot.”

Jonesboro police say several people were in the parking lot at the time of the shooting and that a nearby vehicle was shot.

In addition to homicide-murder-1st degree, Starks was also arrested on suspicion of aggravated robbery, terroristic act-shoots at or projects an object that causes property damage, possession of firearm by certain persons, three counts of aggravated assault and theft of a firearm. According to the Craighead County Sheriff’s Office online jail roster, Starks was arrested on a probation violation-felony.

Court Friday

Starks was in court Friday for a probable cause hearing on a revocation of probation case.

During the short hearing, authorities said the petition was filed Aug. 11 in connection with a 2018 aggravated assault case.

District Judge Tommy Fowler told Starks that the petition was filed due to the murder arrest.

Starks told the judge he was trying to protect himself and that he did not try to murder anyone.

Starks will appear in circuit court Aug. 27 on the petition to revoke probation.

Hale’s History

Osceola Police Chief Ollie Collins confirmed Wednesday to Region 8 News that Hale was charged with murder last August in Demetrius Crawley’s killing.

Court documents show Hale had a cash/surety bond set at $500,000 on June 15, 2021.

Collins said Hale was out on bond but didn’t say exactly when he was released or if the bond had changed prior to his release.

Hale’s murder trial was set for Sept. 7 with a motion and plea day on Aug. 27.

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