In the early evening of October 3, 2023, the life of 23-year-old Kumari Mayes, a Black male, was irrevocably altered on Keller Drive in Little Rock, Arkansas. Responding to a shooting call at 9:01 p.m., Northwest Patrol Officers discovered Mayes suffering from a severe gunshot wound to his neck. He was immediately transported to a local hospital, where he would spend months fighting for his life in critical condition.
The initial investigation at the scene pointed to 23-year-old Joshua
Johnson as the suspected shooter. Detectives spoke with another individual present, 22-year-old Lateayua Price, and gathered enough evidence to secure a warrant for Johnson's arrest on the charge of 1st Degree Battery. While the legal proceedings began to unfold, Mayes remained hospitalized, his condition a constant source of concern for his loved ones.
Tragically, after a prolonged battle, Kumari Mayes succumbed to his injuries on May 28, 2024. His death transformed the case from an assault to a homicide, and the charges against Joshua Johnson were consequently upgraded to 1st Degree Murder. The search for Johnson continued, culminating in his arrest on Thursday, September 5, 2024. He was taken into custody and served with the murder warrant, marking a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the death of Kumari Mayes.
