Two killed, three critically injured in Little Rock Circle K shooting

Two people were killed and three others were critically injured in a shooting at a Little Rock convenience store on Thursday evening, according to the Little Rock Police Department.

Officers responded to the Circle K at 6201 Colonel Glenn Road, near South University Avenue, at 5:18 p.m., according to a police Facebook post. Emergency medical personnel transported several victims and suspects to local hospitals. "at this time we can confirm two people are deceased and three are in critical condition," police said in the post. "There are suspects in custody, and the investigation is ongoing."

Police Response and Investigation

Little Rock police stated that they have multiple suspects in custody but had not released the names of the victims or suspects as of late Thursday. Police did not specify how many suspects were detained.

Little Rock police spokesman Mark Edwards said the suspects and vehicles involved were identified and located with the help of the Flock Safety license plate reader camera system and the police department’s Real Time Crime Center. KATV reported that police used Flock cameras to track down two cars that raced away from the scene.

Mayor and Community Reaction

Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. spoke to reporters at the scene. He said he was "grateful for the men and women of the Little Rock Police Department and their swift response to detain individuals who caused this senseless act of violence."

Scott also issued a statement expressing sadness and frustration. "I am deeply saddened and frustrated by the senseless act of violence that claimed two lives this evening," Scott said. "My heart and prayers are with the families grieving the loss of their loved ones, and I am praying for the recovery of the multiple victims who were injured. Praying with a grieving widow at the scene was heartbreaking. No family should have to endure this kind of pain."

Natalie James, a candidate for city director in Little Rock’s Ward 7, said crimes like the shooting are a result of a lack of resources for young people. "This is the reason why we need to make sure we are allotting resources in our city to help with our youth and to make sure there are things for them to do," James said.

B.J. Wyrick, the current Ward 7 city director and a candidate for Little Rock mayor, noted that the store has been the site of violent activity in the past. "It seems to be a place that collects different individuals that maybe do not have the best of intentions," Wyrick said. She added, "I think we need to look at that property and talk to the owners to see if they can get additional security to protect our citizens."

Prior Incidents at Location

In 2024, a gunfight at the same Circle K location left one man dead and another injured. Courtney Blackwell was convicted of second-degree murder in that killing in March and sentenced to 14 years in prison, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Why it matters

The shooting highlights ongoing concerns about public safety in Little Rock, particularly at specific commercial locations with a history of violent incidents. The use of technology such as license plate readers by police underscores the methods used to secure suspects in the aftermath of such events.

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Sources

• arkansasonline.com: Shooting at Little Rock convenience store kills two people, critically injures three others | The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - Arkansas' Best News Source
• katv.com: Little Rock police confirm two dead, three in critical condition after Circle K shooting

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.