In the small city of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas, a weekend of violence claimed the life of 27-year-old Antwon Mooney, a Black/African American male. On the night of October 19, 2019, police responded to reports of gunfire around 10:22 p.m. and discovered Mooney inside a vehicle that had crashed into a ditch at the intersection of North Third Street and East Baldwin Avenue.
He was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Though he was still conscious when help arrived, Mooney’s injuries were too severe. He was transported to Helena Regional Medical Center, where he ultimately succumbed to his wounds. His death marked the third homicide in the city in just over 48 hours, contributing to a climate of fear and uncertainty in the community of roughly 12,000 residents. The violent spree had begun that Friday with the shooting deaths of 20-year-old Jamarius Reese and 24-year-old Donameka Ballard, which occurred about an hour apart.
In the aftermath of the weekend's bloodshed, the Helena-West Helena Police Chief announced plans to institute a citywide curfew in an effort to quell the violence. While authorities did not immediately state if Mooney's murder was connected to the other two homicides, the series of events prompted a significant law enforcement response.
As of the latest available information, no arrests have been made in connection with the death of Antwon Mooney. The investigation into his shooting remains ongoing. In one of the other weekend homicides, that of Donameka Ballard, authorities did make an arrest, taking 19-year-old Tre'von Hill into custody and charging him with first-degree murder. Police also sought other suspects in that case. However, for the family and friends of Antwon Mooney, justice remains elusive as no suspects have been publicly identified or apprehended in his killing.
