On a summer morning in Forrest City, Arkansas, the life of Benny Word, a 41-year-old Black / African American male, was brought to an abrupt and violent end. On August 11, 2018, the sound of gunfire shattered the early morning calm on a residential street. Word was found outside a home at the corner of North Powell Street and Williams Avenue around 7 a.m.
He had been shot and was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The subsequent investigation by the Forrest City Police Department quickly pointed to a suspect, 51-year-old Hosea Metcalf. Detectives determined that the shooting was the tragic culmination of a love triangle involving Word, Metcalf, and Metcalf's girlfriend. Investigators believe that Metcalf shot Word after discovering him outside the home he shared with his girlfriend. Neighbors reported being awakened by the sound of approximately five gunshots. One neighbor called 911 after hearing the shots and seeing a body lying in the street.
Hosea Metcalf was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder in connection with Benny Word's death. Initially, police were questioning two individuals, but Metcalf's girlfriend was later cleared of any involvement. Metcalf was booked into the St. Francis County Detention Center and was held without bond.
