On May 21, 2022, at approximately 12:30 AM, Little Rock police responded to a 'shots fired' call at the Big Country Chateau Apartments on Colonel Glenn Road. Upon arrival, officers discovered 30-year-old Wayeland Battles of Little Rock suffering from a gunshot wound near the front of the complex. Medical personnel transported Battles to the hospital, where he was listed in critical condition but later died due to his injuries.
Following an investigation, authorities arrested 30-year-old Leonard Radcliff in connection with the homicide. Radcliff was charged with capital murder in the death of Battles. The arrest was announced on June 14, 2022, and the investigation was reported as ongoing.
Battles was a father to four children and was preceded in death by his stepfather, Dan Frazier, and his grandparents, Joe Griffin and Laron Neal. He is survived by his spouse, Dominique Murray; children Korri Shack, Kourtney Shack, Khloe Battles, Wayeland Battles Jr., and Katelynn Battles; mother Stacy Neal; and siblings Bryant Rice, Bunny Tucker, Cannon Aldridge, Daris Battles Jr., Blake Battles, Jamal Norwood, Alex Brooks, Tasia Henderson, and Matelyn Coleman.
Prior to his death, Battles had a criminal record, including an arrest on February 6, 2014, for obstructing justice and fleeing. At that time, he was 22 years old.
The tragic incident marked the 33rd homicide in Little Rock in 2022, highlighting the ongoing challenges the city faces with gun violence.
