On the evening of what should have been a celebration, his 46th birthday, Anthony King, a male from Little Rock, found himself in a verbal altercation that would tragically end his life. The dispute occurred on September 6, 2025, outside his own business, the Royal Cuts 2 Barber Shop on Geyer Springs Road. In a sudden escalation of the argument, a firearm was drawn, and King was shot in the upper torso.
He was privately transported to a local hospital, where he was initially listed in stable condition, able to speak with officers about the man who had shot him.
For weeks, King fought for his life, but his injuries proved too severe. On September 24, 2025, nearly three weeks after the shooting, he succumbed to his wounds. His death prompted Little Rock police to upgrade their investigation from an aggravated assault to a homicide. The man who was a beloved barbershop owner, an instructor to aspiring barbers, a father of four, and a mentor dedicated to helping at-risk youth was gone, leaving a community to grapple with the sudden loss of a man known for his large personality and willingness to help others.
The investigation quickly led to a suspect, a 19-year-old named Markell Wiley. In a heartbreaking turn of events, it was revealed that King had been helping the young man, providing him with a place to stay and assisting him in getting on his feet. The very person he was trying to help was the one who allegedly ended his life. On September 25, 2025, the day after King's death, Markell Wiley was taken into custody by the police. He was subsequently charged with first-degree murder, bringing a somber conclusion to the search for the person responsible for the death of a man who had left a lasting, positive impact on his community.
