In the small city of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas, a tragic and unusual event unfolded on June 2, 2017, leading to the death of 29-year-old Courtney Craig. Craig, a male resident of the area, was at his girlfriend's home when her 4-year-old son found a loaded semi-automatic handgun that had been left outside. The young child accidentally discharged the weapon, striking Craig in the back.
He was rushed to a local hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.
The immediate aftermath of the shooting was filled with confusion and attempts to conceal the circumstances of the incident. According to Helena-West Helena Police Chief James Smith, three men, including the child's uncle, took the firearm from the scene in an effort to hide it. Their stated reason for doing so was the fear that the child could be taken away from his mother by the state. The weapon was later recovered by law enforcement officials.
In connection with the concealment of the firearm, three individuals were taken into custody. Nicholas Harvey, Marvin Speed, and Antwon Speed were all charged with tampering with physical evidence. In addition to this charge, Harvey faced a charge of possession of a firearm, while Marvin Speed was charged with both tampering with evidence and possession of firearms. The child's mother was questioned by police but was not arrested in connection with the shooting. Following the incident, her son was placed in the care of a family member. An obituary for Courtney Craig listed his date of passing as May 26, 2017, though news reports and official accounts state the shooting occurred on June 2, 2017.
