On October 7, 2022, Kori Bartholomew, a 48-year-old resident of Conway, Arkansas, was tragically killed in a series of shootings that also claimed the lives of two other individuals and left one person critically injured. The shootings occurred in the early evening hours, with the first incident reported just before 5:00 p.m. near the intersection of Highway 64 and Salem Road. Officers arrived to find a 25-year-old woman who was airlifted to a Little Rock hospital for treatment.
Approximately an hour later, at 5:01 p.m., a second call led authorities to Newcastle Drive, where they discovered Bartholomew deceased from a gunshot wound. The third incident occurred around 5:11 p.m. on Donaghey Avenue near the University of Central Arkansas, where a 29-year-old male victim was found deceased.
The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Princemichael Ajetunmobi, was known to the victims. Following the shootings, a manhunt ensued, involving local, state, and federal agencies. Ajetunmobi was located by Arkansas State Police around 8:00 p.m. near the 126-mile marker on Interstate 40. During a pursuit, he fled his vehicle, fired at officers, and then fled into the woods. Approximately 30 minutes later, he was found in a field with a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Bartholomew was a beloved figure in the Conway community, known for her work as a secretary at Conway High School, where she was described as a 'second mom' to many students. Her passing left a significant void in the hearts of her family, friends, and colleagues. She is survived by her husband, Chris Bartholomew; their children, Drew, Hali, Bella, Addie, and Jude; and two grandsons, Malachi and Micah. Her parents, Angie Jackson and Ron and Betty Thomason, along with her siblings and extended family, also mourn her loss.
In the wake of her death, the Conway community came together to honor her memory. Conway High School held a 'Purple Out' during a homecoming game, encouraging attendees to wear purple, her favorite color, to celebrate her life and legacy.
