Suspect, 18, jailed in fatal shooting

Capital murder charge lodged in New Year’s Eve killing

A Berryville man was arrested Tuesday on a capital murder charge in connection with the New Year’s Eve shooting death of Laura Nayeli Aceves , 21, of Eureka Springs.

Victor Hugo Acuna , 18, was already in the Carroll County jail when he was arrested on the murder charge, said Carroll County Sheriff Bob Grudek. Capital murder involves premeditation and can carry a death penalty, the sheriff said.

The capital murder arrest came after a ballistics test was conducted by the state Crime Laboratory in Little Rock, which compared a bullet fromthe victim with a .22-caliber handgun found at Acuna’s feet when he was arrested Dec. 31 as he hid in the shower of his mother’s home near Berryville, Grudek said.

Grudek wouldn’t discuss the state Crime Lab findings, saying details would be revealed at Acuna’s arraignment in Carroll County Circuit Court, which must take place before Friday.

Aceves was found lying in a pool of blood at her residence - Ridge Park, a motel turned apartment complex on U.S. 62 west of Eureka Springs - after police received a 911 call from a friend who discovered her about 12:40 p.m. on Dec. 31.

Paramedics found the 5-month-old daughter of Aceves and Acuna on a bed at the apartment, and the infant was turned over to Aceves’ mother, Laura Ponce .

Aceves died from her injury after being taken by ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Rogers, Grudek said.

During the investigation, officers identified Acuna as a possible suspect. He was arrested Dec. 31 on a warrant for violation of a judge’s order to have no contact with Aceves and for criminal mischief.

Grudek said officers broke down the bathroom door to arrest Acuna, who was in his pajamas.

Grudek said there was a“history of violence” between Acuna and Aceves.

Ponce said she’s upset because there had been two restraining orders against Acuna.

“It was neglect in the system,” she said, “bad neglect from that judge and the police not protecting my family.”

Ponce said Aceves had three children. The others are ages 5 and 7. Ponce said she is originally from Mexico.

“We don’t trust the system anymore,” she said. “Our family is destroyed. All of us are destroyed. I had a dream when I came to the United States. I have no dream anymore. All my hopes are gone.”

Northwest Arkansas, Pages 12 on 01/16/2013

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