In the early morning hours of March 19, 2017, the sound of multiple gunshots shattered the quiet in Dumas, Arkansas. Responding to the disturbance at approximately 3:30 a.m., Dumas Police officers discovered a grim scene near the intersection of West Waterman and West Choctaw streets. There, lying on the side of the road, was 25-year-old Blake White of McGehee.
He had sustained several gunshot wounds from a handgun and was found about a block and a half from a local club.
Emergency services transported White to Delta Memorial Hospital, but his injuries proved to be fatal, and he was pronounced dead. Following his death, White's body was sent to the state crime lab for further examination as the investigation into his homicide commenced. In the immediate aftermath, law enforcement had no suspects and appealed to the public for any information that could lead to an arrest in the shooting death of the young Black male.
The investigation quickly progressed, and within a couple of days, a suspect was identified. An arrest warrant was issued for 26-year-old Kelly Coleman of Monticello. On March 21, 2017, Coleman was apprehended by the Monticello Police Department. He was subsequently charged with capital murder and aggravated assault in connection with Blake White's death. Coleman was then held without bond in the Dumas City Jail.
