FAYETTEVILLE -- Two men accused of shooting a 14-year-old boy in Springdale pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Washington County Circuit Court to charges related to attempted capital murder.
Jose Yanez, 18, of 601 W. Easy St. in Rogers pleaded not guilty to accomplice to attempted capital murder, two counts of aggravated assault and engaging in a continuing criminal gang, organization or enterprise. Yanez was given an Oct. 9 trial date.
Hector Vega, 20, of Lowell pleaded not guilty to attempted capital murder, being a felon in possession of a firearm and engaging in a continuing criminal gang, organization or enterprise. Vega was given a Sept. 8 trial date.
Police believe Yanez was driving a silver vehicle from which witnesses said someone shot the boy while he was riding his bicycle at 6:25 p.m. June 25 near Marylyn Street and Crawford Avenue, according to police reports.
The boy had stopped at a corner when a car drove up and a man with a gun got out and approached the boy, according to court records. The boy was shot twice and taken to Washington Regional Medical Center, according to police documents. Police said he suffered wounds to his legs and left hand, according to court records.
Police found two .45 caliber shell casings at the scene.
Witnesses said they saw the silver vehicle at both the shooting and at a fight that broke out minutes before at the Kum & Go convenience store, 1010 N. Thompson St., according to police reports.
Police said the fight and the shooting were related.
Vega and Yanez are being held at the Washington County Jail in lieu of $200,000 bond each.
Attempted capital murder is punishable by 10 to 40 years or life in prison.
NW News on 07/23/2015