An altercation at a Little Rock, Arkansas convenience store on November 30, 2016, tragically ended the life of 18-year-old Jalen Faulkner. Faulkner was inside the #2 Woodrow Discount Store at 13th and Woodrow when a man entered and began shooting, striking him multiple times. Authorities later stated that Faulkner was an innocent bystander, caught in the crossfire of bullets not intended for him.
The incident occurred around 9:45 a.m., when the suspect arrived in a dark-colored Mercedes Benz, entered the store, and started firing his weapon at customers.
Following the shooting, the Little Rock Police Department sought public assistance in identifying the suspect, releasing surveillance images to the media. The investigation quickly led them to identify Calvin Christerfer Stephens, 23, of Little Rock, as the person responsible for the shooting. In a turn of events, on December 19, 2016, Stephens turned himself in to homicide detectives at the 12th Street Substation. He was subsequently charged with first-degree murder and transported to the Pulaski County Jail, where he was held without bond.
In the years following Faulkner's death, his family pursued legal action against the owner of the Woodrow Discount Store. The family's attorney argued that the business had been negligent in providing adequate security, which could have prevented the tragedy. This civil lawsuit concluded with a significant settlement, awarding the Faulkner family $18 million. While the family acknowledged that no amount of money could bring back their loved one, they hoped the verdict would compel other businesses to prioritize the safety of their patrons.
