In the late evening of February 27, 2020, tragedy struck in Texarkana, Arkansas, resulting in the death of 24-year-old Devonta Biddle. Responding to a call of a possible home invasion and shooting at approximately 8:55 p.m., Texarkana Arkansas Police officers arrived at a residence in the 1200 block of Linden Street. Inside, they discovered Biddle, a male, who had succumbed to a fatal gunshot wound.
The investigation into his death was quickly classified as a homicide.
Further investigation revealed that Biddle and his girlfriend were at the Linden Street house to house-sit for his brother. His brother had received a warning that his home was being watched, prompting the couple to stay there. During the evening, an intruder entered the home. Biddle went to his brother's bedroom to confront the individual. It was after this confrontation that Biddle's girlfriend found him suffering from the gunshot wound that claimed his life.
The Texarkana Arkansas Criminal Investigation Division's investigation led them to two suspects from Magnolia, Arkansas: Damien Damon Butler and Cierra Nicole Gentry. Investigators determined that the motive behind the incident was a drug-related burglary. Butler and Gentry were subsequently arrested and faced capital murder charges for killing Biddle during the burglary of his brother's home.
In March of 2022, both Damien Damon Butler and Cierra Nicole Gentry reached plea agreements. They pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of first-degree murder. As a result of their pleas, each was sentenced to serve 25 years in prison for their roles in the death of Devonta Biddle, bringing a resolution to the case.
