On October 18, 2019, 24-year-old Donameka Ballard was fatally shot in West Helena, Arkansas. The incident occurred near East Garland Avenue and Sixth Street, where Ballard was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at the scene.
This tragic event was part of a series of shootings in the area. Earlier that day, at approximately 10:54 a.m., 20-year-old Jamarius Reese was shot multiple times in the back and shoulder on Park and Dinan streets, also succumbing to his
injuries at the scene. Both shootings are believed to be retaliatory, though authorities have not confirmed a direct connection between the two incidents.
In the aftermath, Helena-West Helena police identified three individuals as persons of interest in Ballard's death: 19-year-old Tre'von Hill, 19-year-old Tyranza Young, and 21-year-old Kylan Williams. Authorities requested the public's assistance in locating these individuals, urging anyone with information to contact the police department.
On October 20, 2019, Tre'von Hill was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with Ballard's death. He was apprehended at an apartment on Joyner Drive and was held without bond, with his first court appearance scheduled for the following Tuesday.
The community was deeply affected by these events, with residents expressing concerns over the rising violence. Lori Williams, a local resident, remarked on the unsettling nature of the shootings, stating, 'I left for several years. And I couldn't believe this was our town when I came back.' She emphasized the need for community unity and action to address the violence, noting that many young individuals were carrying firearms, some as young as 8 or 9 years old.
As of the latest available information, authorities have not reported any further arrests or developments in the case. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ballard's death and the other shootings in the area remains ongoing.
