In a tragic turn of events stemming from domestic violence, a family in Little Rock, Arkansas, is mourning the loss of Ricardo Sykes, a 49-year-old man who was fatally shot on the evening of Monday, June 19, 2023. The incident unfolded just before 10 p.m. at a residence on Fairfield Drive, where police officers responded to a shooting call. Upon their arrival, they discovered Ricardo Sykes in the front yard, suffering from several gunshot wounds.
He was immediately transported to a local hospital for medical attention but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into the death of Ricardo Sykes quickly led to a suspect. His wife, 40-year-old Crystal Perkins, contacted 9-1-1 and informed the authorities of her intention to surrender to the police the following morning. Subsequently, Perkins was arrested and is now facing a charge of first-degree murder in connection with her husband's death. The incident is being investigated as a homicide, and the Pulaski County Coroner has sent Mr. Sykes's body to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for an autopsy to officially determine the cause of death. Homicide detectives have been canvassing the area for potential witnesses and any available video surveillance that might shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
In the wake of this tragedy, the family of Ricardo Sykes has chosen to speak out about their loss, hoping to raise awareness about the devastating impact of domestic violence. They revealed that Ricardo had been a victim for an extended period, a fact that has brought immense pain and sorrow to his loved ones. His daughter, Mariska Sykes, expressed the family's anguish and their efforts to keep him safe, which included court dates and even a restraining order. The family's public statements aim to encourage other victims of domestic abuse to seek help and to highlight that victims can be of any gender. Ricardo Ferlan Sykes Sr. is remembered by his children, Mariska Sykes-Alexander, Ricardo Sykes Jr., and Jayanni Younge-Sykes, as well as his parents and siblings.
