In the late evening hours of August 13, 2020, a burst of gunfire shattered the peace in downtown Marianna, Arkansas, leaving a community in mourning. Seventeen-year-old Martin Davis, a Black male, was fatally shot near the intersection of Main and Alabama Streets. When local law enforcement arrived at approximately 10:30 p.m., they found the young man deceased at the scene.
Another teenager, sixteen-year-old Cameron Ryder, was also struck by the gunfire but survived with non-life-threatening injuries. Ryder was quickly transported to a hospital in Memphis for medical attention. Both Davis and Ryder were residents of nearby Helena-West Helena.
The investigation into the shooting was soon taken over by the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division at the request of local authorities. Special Agents began piecing together the events that led to the deadly encounter. Their initial focus turned to identifying two individuals who were reportedly seen with Davis and Ryder outside a local business shortly before the shots were fired. These unidentified individuals were sought for questioning as persons of interest who might hold crucial information about what transpired that night. The body of Martin Davis was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for an autopsy to officially determine the cause and manner of his death.
In the wake of the tragedy, details from Martin's life painted a picture of a vibrant young man known for his outgoing personality and ability to make people laugh. Affectionately called 'Bankroll' by many, and 'Tiggo Bitty' by his mother, he was a student who had attended Barton High School and was passionate about basketball and football. His love for riding four-wheelers was another defining characteristic. As the investigation continued, the community was left to grapple with the senseless loss of a young life. Despite the ongoing efforts of the Arkansas State Police, no arrests have been announced in connection with the murder of Martin Davis, and the case officially remains an open and active investigation.
