On October 17, 2022, a male resident of Benton, Arkansas, Larry Foster, age 61, was tragically killed. His death was the result of a shooting that occurred near the 12800 block of Interstate 30 Frontage Road in Little Rock. Foster was discovered unresponsive by Little Rock Police Officers responding to a 'subject down' call. Despite medical aid being rendered at the scene, he was pronounced dead.
His children described him as being in 'the right place at the wrong time,' on his way to work when the violent act took his life.
The investigation into Foster's death quickly led authorities to a suspect, 39-year-old Demontra Hatfield of Benton. The events that led to Foster's death reportedly began with another homicide. Benton police were investigating the shooting death of 28-year-old Krystle Wilder at the County Oaks Apartments. Authorities determined that Hatfield was responsible for her death and had fled the scene with a juvenile who had also been shot. It was after this initial incident that Hatfield is alleged to have encountered and shot Larry Foster.
Demontra Hatfield was arrested in connection with both deaths. For the death of Larry Foster, he faced a charge of capital murder. An affidavit states that Hatfield claimed a car crash led to an argument with Foster, and he shot him because he believed Foster had a gun; however, detectives did not find a weapon at the scene where Foster was killed. In relation to the death of Krystle Wilder, Hatfield was charged with first-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, and firearm possession, among other charges. The juvenile with Hatfield was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
