In the early evening of January 4, 2019, tragedy struck in Little Rock, Arkansas, forever altering the lives of two families. Robert Curlett, a 56-year-old male, was caught in a burst of gunfire that would ultimately claim his life and that of another man. The incident unfolded on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, leaving a scene of chaos and sorrow in its wake.
When police officers arrived, they discovered Curlett suffering from critical gunshot wounds.
He was rushed to a local hospital, but his injuries proved to be too severe. A second victim, 38-year-old Christopher Carter, was also fatally wounded in the same shooting. Carter was transported to a different hospital by private vehicle, where he too succumbed to his injuries. The double homicide marked a grim start to the new year for the city.
The investigation into the deaths of Robert Curlett and Christopher Carter led authorities to a suspect. Matthew Chism was arrested in connection with the fatal shootings. He subsequently faced serious legal consequences, as he was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. The arrest brought a measure of resolution to the initial phase of the investigation, though the profound loss for the victims' loved ones remains.
