In the early morning hours of Sunday, August 3, 2025, the life of 43-year-old James Matthew Charles, known affectionately as “Tall Folks,” was tragically cut short in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Just before 2:00 a.m., officers from the Hot Springs Police Department responded to reports of gunfire in the 300 block of Mason Street. Upon their arrival, they discovered a male, later identified as Charles, in a front yard suffering from a gunshot wound.
He was swiftly transported to a local hospital, but tragically succumbed to his injuries.
James, a man known for his big heart and generous spirit, was born in Springfield, Ohio, on February 20, 1982. He spent his early years in Gurdon, Arkansas, under the care of his grandfather. Later, while in foster care in Hot Springs, he was taken in by a compassionate neighbor, Myra Young, who raised him as her own. Those who knew him remembered his loyalty and the joy he found in simple pleasures like cruising around town and spending time with his friends and family. He faced his share of challenges and held regrets, particularly regarding lost time with his son, but he also possessed a hope and determination to build a better future. He had found a recent passion for the trucking industry and was in the process of starting his own business when his life was ended.
In the days following the fatal shooting, the Hot Springs Police Department identified 25-year-old Austin Lee Warren as a suspect in the homicide. A search for Warren ensued, and on August 7, he was apprehended in Tulia, Texas, following a standoff with police. Warren was charged with second-degree murder. Another individual, 40-year-old Desray Guess, was also arrested in connection with the case and charged with hindering apprehension. The investigation into the death of James 'Tall Folks' Charles remains ongoing.
