In the early morning hours of New Year's Day 2018, a fatal encounter unfolded in the parking lot of Arsaga's at the Depot on Dickson Street in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Trenton Coney, a 22-year-old Black male, was shot and killed. The incident occurred at approximately 12:47 a.m. when Fayetteville police officers were dispatched to the scene following reports of a disturbance. Upon their arrival, they discovered Coney with a gunshot wound to his chest.
He was immediately transported to Washington Regional Medical Center, but tragically, he was pronounced dead.
The investigation into the shooting quickly identified a suspect, 25-year-old Christopher Rankin of Sherwood, Arkansas. According to witness statements and the subsequent investigation, the events leading to the shooting began with a seemingly innocuous interaction. Rankin was accompanying a female acquaintance to her vehicle when Coney, who was a friend of the woman, approached to ensure her well-being. This action reportedly agitated Rankin, who then drew a handgun and pointed it at Coney. After a brief verbal exchange, Rankin holstered his weapon, and a physical altercation ensued between the two men.
The struggle culminated in Coney falling to the ground. Rankin then stood over him and fired a single shot, which struck Coney in the chest. Rankin fled the scene but was apprehended by law enforcement a short time later in Fayetteville. He was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder. During questioning, Rankin admitted to his involvement in the shooting but provided a conflicting account of the events, claiming he fired the weapon behind him as he was running away and was unaware that anyone had been hit. This statement was contradicted by the evidence and witness testimonies gathered by investigators. In September 2019, a jury found Christopher Rankin guilty of second-degree murder. He was subsequently sentenced to 20 years in prison for the death of Trenton Coney.
