An Arkansas man has been charged with second-degree murder following the fatal shooting of a 14-year-old boy on Tuesday. Officers from the Magnolia Police Department responded to the Magnolia Regional Medical Center after reports of a teen suffering from a gunshot wound. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. at a residence on Bessie Street in Magnolia.
The teenager, identified as Nathan Dewayne Talley-Jones, was transported to the hospital but was later pronounced dead, according to KSLA12. During their investigation, police identified Marquil Lambert as the primary suspect. Lambert was taken into custody on Wednesday and is currently being held at the Columbia County Jail, awaiting his first court appearance.
Authorities believe the shooting stemmed from an incident where the teens were “horse playing,” which escalated when Lambert pulled out a firearm and shot Talley-Jones. Police have stated they do not believe the shooting was accidental. The Magnolia Police Department has urged anyone with information related to the incident to contact them at (870) 234-3765.
This tragic event follows another recent disturbing case in Arkansas, where an Arkansas couple was arrested for allegedly attempting to sell their two-month-old baby for $1,000 and a six-pack of beer. On September 21, deputies from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a campground in Rogers after a call from the manager’s office reported a 21-year-old father and 20-year-old mother attempting to sell their infant, according to USA Today.
The couple remains unnamed to protect the identity of the child. Authorities reported that the baby was in urgent need of medical care due to visible rashes and blisters on the child’s buttocks and genitals. When deputies arrived, the couple was no longer present, and the baby was taken to a children’s hospital for treatment. A witness reported that he had entered the couple’s camper and offered to take the baby overnight, giving the couple some beer in exchange.
Concerned for the baby’s welfare, he took the child, and a woman at the campground later changed, bathed the baby, and photographed the rashes to provide evidence to the authorities. Deputies discovered a signed letter from the couple agreeing to sell their parental rights for $1,000. The letter stated: “(Parents’ names) are signing our rights over to (redacted) of our baby boy (redacted) for $1,000 on 09/21/2024.
Disclaimer: After signing this there will (be) no changing y’all two’s minds and to never contact again.” Cellphone video footage also showed the couple signing the agreement. When questioned, the couple claimed they were recording the interaction because they were “undergoing an adoption” process and planned to legalize it.
They were charged with endangering the welfare of a child and attempted relinquishment of a minor for adoption. Both were released on $50,000 bail each and are scheduled to appear in court on October 29. The current condition of the baby remains unknown.