On the evening of September 20, 2021, Keith McFadden, a 40-year-old man, was fatally shot in Texarkana, Arkansas. The incident occurred in the vicinity of East 11th and California Streets, where police responded to reports of gunfire around 9 p.m. Upon their arrival, officers discovered McFadden in a yard, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving efforts from bystanders and emergency personnel, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into McFadden's
death led authorities to identify Cornell Bernard Brown, a man from Memphis, Tennessee, as the primary suspect. Evidence gathered by the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department indicated that Brown had traveled from Memphis with the specific intention of committing the crime. In October 2021, Brown was apprehended in Memphis by a U.S. Marshals fugitive task force and was subsequently extradited to Arkansas to face charges. He was charged with capital murder in connection with McFadden's death. Additionally, Cornell Brown's wife, Starlar Brown, was also charged with capital murder. The motive for the killing appeared to be robbery, as it was alleged that after the shooting, McFadden's pockets were rummaged through and his wallet and Rolex watch were stolen.
In November 2024, a jury found Cornell Brown guilty of the capital murder of Keith McFadden. Following his conviction, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors also noted alleged ties between Brown and a Texarkana-based gang. McFadden's family was present throughout the trial, witnessing the delivery of justice for their loved one.
