In the early evening of April 5, 2024, the life of 38-year-old Santana Lash Reyna Martinez, a female, was tragically cut short in a burst of gunfire. The incident unfolded in North Little Rock, Arkansas, where police responded to a call about a shooting at approximately 5:52 p.m. in the 100 block of Curtis Sykes Drive. Upon their arrival, they discovered a harrowing scene with four individuals suffering from gunshot wounds.
Martinez was pronounced dead at the scene.
The other three victims were immediately transported to local hospitals for treatment. Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute, suggesting that all individuals involved were known to one another. The violence of that evening left a community shaken and a family mourning the sudden and senseless loss of a loved one.
Following the incident, law enforcement quickly identified a suspect. James Booker, 46 years old, was located and apprehended without incident at an abandoned house in the 1300 block of Magnolia. During questioning by authorities, Booker admitted to his involvement in the shooting.
Booker is now facing a litany of serious charges, including one count of capital murder for the death of Santana Martinez. He has also been charged with three counts of attempted capital murder for the injuries sustained by the other victims, one count of a felon in possession of a firearm, and four counts of committing a terroristic act. He is currently being held without bond at the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility as the legal process moves forward.
