In the summer of 2017, a burst of gunfire shattered the peace on North 28th Street in West Memphis, Arkansas, forever altering the lives of a local family. On July 5th, Desmond Davis, a 25-year-old Black man, was fatally shot in an act of violence that also wounded his mother. While her injuries were not life-threatening, she was left to grapple with the devastating loss of her son.
The incident cast a somber shadow over the community, prompting a swift investigation by the West Memphis Police Department.
In the days that followed the tragic shooting, authorities began to piece together the events that led to Desmond's untimely death. Their investigation led them to identify two teenage suspects, 17-year-old Malik Macklin and 18-year-old Derrick Brown. Both were sought in connection with the homicide, facing serious charges of first-degree murder and first-degree battery for their alleged roles in the violent encounter.
The pursuit of justice saw one suspect, Derrick Brown, already in custody on unrelated charges, simplifying one aspect of the investigation. However, Malik Macklin remained at large, prompting police to issue warrants for his arrest and appeal to the public for any information that might lead to his whereabouts. The search for Macklin extended beyond West Memphis, culminating in his capture on July 20, 2017, in Conway, Arkansas, by the U.S. Marshals Service. The investigation also led to the arrest of Macklin's mother, Melica Macklin, who was accused of hindering the apprehension of her son.
