An Arkansas man has been charged with second-degree murder following the shooting death of a 14-year-old boy on Tuesday. Magnolia Police Department officers responded to Magnolia Regional Medical Center after reports of a teenager suffering from a gunshot wound. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. at a residence on Bessie Street in Magnolia.
The teen, 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 main suspect. Lambert was arrested on Wednesday and is currently being held in the Columbia County Jail, awaiting his first court appearance.
Authorities believe the shooting stemmed from an incident in which the teens were “playing horseback,” which escalated when Lambert pulled out a firearm and shot Talley-Jones. Police have stated that 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 trying to sell their two-month-old baby for $1,000 and a six-pack of beer. On Sept. 21, Benton County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a campground in Rogers after a call from the manager’s office reported that a 21-year-old father and 20-year-old mother were attempting to sell their baby, according to USA today.
The couple remains anonymous to protect the child’s identity. Authorities reported that the baby needed urgent medical attention due to visible rashes and blisters on the child’s buttocks and genitals. When officers 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 trailer and offered to take the baby overnight, giving them some beer in return.
Concerned for the baby’s well-being, he took the baby and a woman at the camp then changed, bathed the baby, and photographed the rashes to provide evidence to authorities. Agents discovered a signed letter from the couple agreeing to sell their parental rights for $1,000. The letter stated: “(Parents names) we are signing over our rights to (redacted) of our baby (redacted) for $1,000 on 09/21/2024.
Disclaimer: After signing this, there will be no change of mind between the two of you and we will never contact each other again.” Cellphone video footage also showed the couple signing the agreement. When asked, the couple claimed they were recording the interaction because they were “in the adoption process” and planned to make it legal.
They were charged with endangering the welfare of a child and attempting to place a minor for adoption. Both were released on bail of $50,000 each and are scheduled to appear in court on October 29. The baby’s current condition is unknown.