In the summer of 2023, the life of Joe Nathaniel Hicks Jr., a 40-year-old male, was tragically cut short in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas. On the afternoon of Thursday, July 20, 2023, officers from the Hot Springs Police Department were dispatched to a residence on Ward Street following a report of a shooting.
Upon their arrival at the home, a grim discovery was made. Inside, law enforcement found Mr. Hicks and another individual, 40-year-old Harvey Jackson Austin, both deceased.
It was apparent that both men had sustained gunshot wounds. The time of the call to the police was approximately 4:16 p.m.
The Criminal Investigations Division was promptly notified and took charge of the scene, initiating a thorough investigation into the double homicide. Their efforts quickly identified a person of interest. Later that same evening, at around 10:30 p.m., authorities located and apprehended 35-year-old Jamieon Katreal Hawkins-Nolen of Hot Springs. Hawkins-Nolen was taken into custody without any further incident.
Following his arrest, Jamieon Katreal Hawkins-Nolen was charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Joe Nathaniel Hicks Jr. and Harvey Jackson Austin. He was subsequently booked into the Garland County Detention Center, with his bond set at $500,000.
