A private gathering of approximately 80-100 individuals in Jonesboro, Arkansas, took a tragic turn on Sunday, March 10, when gunfire was opened, resulting in three deaths and multiple injuries, as confirmed by the Jonesboro Police Department.
Officers were dispatched to an area in the city’s downtown region at around 5 a.m., where they encountered several gunshot victims.
The shooting resulted in the deaths of two acquaintances of the shooter, Dwight Starks, 24, and Amari Giles, 20, along with the shooter himself, 32-year-old Tarail Moody. Moody died from a gunshot wound to the head, though the identity of his shooter remains unknown.
In addition to the fatalities, another woman linked to the shooter was also injured. The incident resulted in injuries to three individuals who had no apparent connection to Moody. A fifth person sought medical attention later, but it is unclear whether they had any relationship with the shooter.
No information has been released regarding the motivations for the shooting or the status of the injured victims. Preliminary findings suggest that the shooting may have been triggered by a domestic dispute that intensified during the party. The Jonesboro Police are continuing their investigations and appealing for any information related to the incident.
The incident occurred on Burke Avenue, approximately 130 miles northeast of Arkansas’ capital, Little Rock. The area was swiftly secured by law enforcement, with traffic restrictions put in place to aid emergency response and investigation efforts.
This incident adds to the growing number of mass shootings in the United States, with the Gun Violence Archive reporting over 70 such events this year alone. They define a mass shooting as an incident where four or more people are shot, not including the shooter.
The Jonesboro Police Department has reassured the public that this was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat. However, the impact of the shooting is far-reaching, highlighting the ongoing issue of gun violence.
Officials are urging witnesses or anyone with relevant information to assist as the investigation continues.
