On a tragic Mother's Day evening, May 12, 2019, the life of 23-year-old Donyell King, a Black / African American male, was cut short by gunfire in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The fatal encounter unfolded just before midnight in the 100 block of Lily Ruth Court, where King was discovered in the driver's seat of his car with gunshot wounds to his face and shoulder. His father, 50-year-old Donald King, was also struck by a bullet in the back but survived the attack.
Both men were rushed to a local hospital, but Donyell succumbed to his injuries.
The events leading to the deadly shooting began earlier in the day with a dispute between Donyell King and his sister, Whitney Finley. Finley's friend, Kaylen Dantrell Damion Burks, 25, became involved in the altercation. Feeling disrespected after the initial confrontation was resolved, Burks left and later returned to the scene with 19-year-old Tommy Eddie Woodfork III. The pair then confronted King while he was in his vehicle. It was at this point that Woodfork pulled out a handgun and fired multiple shots, fatally wounding Donyell King.
In the wake of the shooting, both Burks and Woodfork fled. However, their freedom was short-lived. Burks was apprehended on May 17, 2019, and Woodfork was arrested two days later. Woodfork was charged with first-degree murder, terroristic threatening, and first-degree battery. Burks faced charges as an accomplice to first-degree murder, terroristic threatening, and battery.
The legal process concluded in 2021. Tommy Woodfork accepted a plea deal, resulting in a 38-year prison sentence for first-degree murder and two counts of a terroristic act. Kaylen Burks was found guilty of second-degree murder, multiple counts of committing a terroristic act, and a firearm enhancement, leading to a 90-year prison sentence.
