In the early morning hours of May 18, 2023, the life of 34-year-old Jamar Smith of Hot Springs, Arkansas, was tragically cut short. Officers responded to a call at the 200 block of Maryland Avenue around 2:30 a.m. and discovered Smith inside a residence, deceased from an apparent gunshot wound. The Black male's death was quickly investigated as a homicide by the Hot Springs Police Department.
The investigation moved swiftly, and by that same evening, a suspect was in custody.
At approximately 5:15 p.m. in Garland County, authorities arrested Kendrick Cordell Jujuane Burris, a 25-year-old from Mountain Pine. Burris was subsequently charged with first-degree murder in connection with Smith's death.
Jamar, who was also known by the nickname "Tripp," was born on February 4, 1989, in Little Rock. His obituary remembers him as a father to two sons, Jamar Counts, Jr. and Amir Counts. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death was reported to be ongoing following the arrest of the suspect.
