In the quiet town of McNeil, Arkansas, the night of October 19, 2020, was shattered by the sound of gunfire at a local apartment complex. When deputies from the Columbia County Sheriff's Office arrived at approximately 11:24 PM, they discovered the body of 32-year-old Saquanna Sakita Young, a Black / African American female. She had sustained fatal gunshot wounds.
Another woman, 28-year-old Veronica Smith, was also found at the scene with a gunshot wound to her thigh, but she survived the attack.
The investigation into the shooting quickly led to a suspect. Just an hour later, at 12:24 AM on October 20, 2020, authorities arrested 31-year-old Jerry Pritchard of Magnolia. He was taken into custody and faced a litany of serious charges, including First Degree Murder, a Terroristic Act, First Degree Battery, and Stalking. Pritchard was subsequently held at the Columbia County Detention Center to await his initial court appearance. The Magnolia Police Department and the Arkansas State Police provided assistance in the investigation.
In the wake of the tragedy, a chilling detail emerged suggesting a possible motive. It was reported that Pritchard had previously threatened Young, allegedly telling her, "If I can't have you, then nobody will." This statement was provided to law enforcement by a witness on the night of the murder. Saquanna Young was remembered as a vibrant member of her community, known for her beautiful singing voice which she shared from a young age at her church. Her life was celebrated at a graveside service on October 30, 2020.
