In the early hours of a Saturday morning in Little Rock, Arkansas, a burst of gunfire shattered the peace, leaving a young man's life cut tragically short. On April 19, 2025, 29-year-old Raydrick Watts was fatally wounded in a shooting that also injured two other individuals. The incident unfolded at approximately 3:27 a.m. in the 5000 block of Asher Avenue, prompting a swift response from Southwest Patrol Officers.
Upon their arrival, officers discovered a chaotic scene.
They located Raydrick Watts and another man, 47-year-old Labrian Phillips, in the 3300 block of Mary Street, both suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Emergency medical services were immediately dispatched to provide life-saving treatment, but tragically, Watts was pronounced dead at the scene. Phillips was transported to a local hospital for his injuries. As the investigation began to unfold, a third victim, 42-year-old Prince Kelley, arrived at an area hospital in a private vehicle, also having sustained a gunshot wound during the same incident.
Homicide Detectives and the Crime Scene Search Unit were called to the scene to begin the arduous task of piecing together the events of that fatal morning. They canvassed the area, searching for witnesses and any available video surveillance that might shed light on the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The Pulaski County Coroner's Office later transported Watts's body to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for an autopsy to determine the official cause of death.
The investigation into the death of Raydrick Watts continued, and on May 5, 2025, a significant breakthrough was made. Authorities took 30-year-old Clifton Laster of Little Rock into custody in connection with the homicide. Laster has since been charged with Capital Murder. While an arrest has been made, the investigation into the shooting that claimed one life and injured two others is still considered ongoing.
