On a summer evening in Little Rock, Arkansas, the life of 37-year-old Walter Hair Jr. was tragically cut short. On Saturday, July 15, 2023, officers from the Southwest Division of the Little Rock Police Department were dispatched to 5001 West 65th Street following a report of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they discovered a male victim, later identified as Walter Hair Jr., suffering from what appeared to be gunshot wounds.
Emergency medical services were promptly on the scene and
transported Mr. Hair to a local hospital for treatment. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. Following his death, the Pulaski County Coroner's office arranged for his body to be taken to the State Crime Lab for an autopsy to officially determine the cause of death. Homicide detectives were notified and began their investigation at the secured crime scene.
As the investigation unfolded, law enforcement was alerted by a different hospital that another individual, Derrick Weaver, was receiving treatment for a gunshot wound to his neck. Detectives were able to connect both men to the same incident at the West 65th Street location. During the course of their preliminary investigation, detectives canvassed the area for any potential witnesses and sought out video surveillance footage that may have captured the events leading to Mr. Hair's death. When detectives attempted to interview Mr. Weaver at the hospital, he declined to provide a statement without his attorney present.
After a thorough investigation, Derrick Weaver, a 40-year-old from Conway, was identified as the suspect in the homicide. The case was submitted for a file review by the prosecutor, and on December 16, 2024, charges were officially filed against Weaver. He faces charges of Manslaughter, Possession of a Firearm by Certain Persons, and Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and Firearms.
