FAYETTEVILLE — Police say they have identified two suspects from central Arkansas in the Nov. 1 shooting in the Dickson Street entertainment district, but have not yet arrested them.
Six people were shot during the incident police have described as a random act of violence.
Investigators have identified two people believed to be responsible for the shooting: Cameron Raushan Thomas and a juvenile, according to a Friday news release from the Fayetteville Police Department.
The U.S. Marshals Service Eastern Arkansas Fugitive Task Force is also asking for the public’s help finding 18-year-old Tisan Bates Jr., described as a suspect connected to the shooting, according to a news release.
Arrest warrants have been issued for both people for charges including committing a terroristic act, battery in the first degree, possession of firearms by a felon and first-degree criminal mischief.
Detectives are working to find and apprehend both suspects, according to the release.
Prosecutors opened a case against Thomas on Tuesday in Washington County Circuit Court, formally charging him with two counts of first-degree battery and being a felon in possession of a firearm. A warrant for Thomas’ arrest was filed Thursday.
Felony information filed against Thomas on each of the battery charges says he shot a bystander.
Thomas has one felony case pending in Pulaski County Circuit Court where he is charged with maintaining a drug premises, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on bond in that case and has a Dec. 3 court appearance scheduled.
Thomas also has two cases in Pulaski County that have been reopened. One case filed in April 2020 involves simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, maintaining a drug premises, three revocations of probated sentences and a related failure to appear.
Thomas pleaded guilty to three of the drug and gun charges in November 2020, while the other charges were dropped as part of a plea bargain. He was sentenced to five years of probation. He has a Feb. 17 bond forfeiture hearing scheduled in that case.
The second reopened case was filed in November 2021 and involves fleeing by vehicle with serious physical injury, theft by receiving, a revocation and a related failure to appear. Thomas pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to three years of probation. He has a Dec. 3 revocation hearing pending in that case.
The six people who were shot were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to a Nov. 1 news release from police.
Officers reported responding about 1:41 a.m. Nov. 1 to the area of West Avenue and Watson Street — about a block north of Dickson Street — on a report of a shooting.
“Due to the Halloween and game-day festivities, a number of officers had been assigned to work the Dickson Street area and were nearby when the shooting was reported,” the release states. “Officers located multiple individuals suffering from gunshot wounds and immediately provided medical assistance.”
Police said the preliminary investigation indicated an altercation on West Avenue led up to the shooting.
Witnesses and businesses provided information and video that helped detectives identify the suspects, police reported Friday.
“The department is working closely with law enforcement partners to advance the investigation and bring those responsible into custody,” the Friday news release states.
At this time, investigators have not identified a specific or credible threat directed toward the city or its entertainment district, according to the news release. The suspects are from the central Arkansas area and are not thought to be in the Northwest Arkansas area.
“We encourage everyone to remain aware of their surroundings, practice good situational awareness, and report suspicious activity to law enforcement. Personal safety should always be a priority, particularly in large gatherings and crowded entertainment areas,” the release states. “We recognize that incidents such as this create concern among residents, University of Arkansas students, parents, visitors, and local businesses. The Fayetteville Police Department remains committed to protecting everyone who lives, works, and visits our community.”
Anyone with additional information or recordings related to the shooting is asked to contact the Fayetteville Police Department at (479) 587-3555, according to the release.
Video posted on social media shows police had at least three people detained after the incident, lying face down in the street, as many bystanders milled around the scene.
The incident occurred less than four hours after the end of the Razorbacks football team’s homecoming game at Razorback Stadium, which they lost to Missouri by a 34-10 score.
Between 25,000 and 30,000 people were in the Dickson Street area between the evening of Oct. 31 and the early morning of Nov. 1, according to a statement from Mayor Molly Rawn.
“Our police were prepared; we had 40 officers on site and their response was almost instant. Without their quick action, this could have been much worse,” she wrote.
“For those who were celebrating and having fun last evening, I am so sorry this happened. To the employees working in the entertainment district, I know how stressful and scary this must be. Thank you to our police and fire departments for your continued commitment to safety.”
Ron Wood can be reached by email at [email protected].
Source: www.nwaonline.com
