Washington County prosecutors are charging 17-year-old Hector Saul Ramos with murder in last week's fatal shooting in Springdale.
Update
http://www.nwaonlin…">Ramos pleaded not guilty Tuesday to the charges against him.
The shooting early Friday morning left one teenager dead, sent two other young people to the hospital and led to the arrest of Ramos, Springdale police said.
Felony information
The formal accusation of a criminal offense made by a public official; the sworn, written accusation of a crime. An information is tantamount to an indictment in that it is a sworn written statement that charges a particular individual has done some criminal act or is guilty of some criminal omission. The distinguishing characteristic between an information and an indictment is that an indictment is presented by a grand jury, whereas an information is presented by a duly authorized public official.
Source: legal-dictionary. thefreedictionary.c…
Prosecutor Matt Durrett filed felony information Monday accusing Ramos of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree battery and misdemeanor possession of marijuana. If convicted on the murder charge, Ramos faces 10 to 40 years or life in prison. The battery charges carry prison terms of five to 20 years.
Ramos will be tried as an adult and his arraignment is set for 9 a.m. today in front of Circuit Judge Joanna Taylor.
Police found Fabian Rodriguez, 18, of 2406 Trudi Place, with a gunshot wound at 3:21 a.m. Friday in the yard of 32 Applegate Drive, according to Springdale police. Rodriguez was pronounced dead at Northwest Medical Center-Springdale.
Savannah Smith, 21, and a 14-year-old boy, both with gunshot wounds, arrived at the hospital shortly after the shooting, police said. Neither had life-threatening wounds.
Police said Ramos, who lived with his mother, told them he saw people outside his apartment "banging on the window and one was holding a machete," according to a news release. Ramos fired a gun through the window and hit two people, police said.
Ramos then chased them, firing more shots as the teens fled, police said. He also shot into a car where Smith was in the driver's seat, according to police.
A handgun was found in a drainage ditch near the apartment, and a machete was found near Rodriguez, according to police.
Police initially arrested Ramos on Friday in connection with second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree battery and possession of a handgun by a minor. Ramos was at the Washington County Juvenile Detention Center on Friday with a $250,000 bond. Prosecutors said Monday they expect Ramos to remain at the juvenile detention center.
Police are looking into possible gang activity related to the shooting.
An online social networking website with a page linked to a comment about the shooting and Rodriguez shows Rodriguez had posted a cover photo of the "Brown Pride Midgets," a known gang with local members.
Late Friday night and early Saturday morning, shots were fired at a home in the 100 block of Pierce Avenue, about five blocks from the apartment on Applegate Drive.
Police arrested two teenage boys, 15 and 17, in connection with the incident on Pierce Avenue, where no one was injured. Police are investigating if the shootings are related to Friday's fatal shooting.
Springdale Police Chief Kathy O'Kelley released a statement Saturday that said her department was talking to other agencies about Friday's fatal shooting and the potential for further violence.
Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse issued a statement Saturday assuring residents measures are being taken to address violent crime and suspected gang activity in the city.
"I know I can also speak for our City Council when I assure our citizens that we will support using whatever resources necessary in order to respond swiftly, aggressively, and effectively to the recent spike in suspected gang activity. For years, our police have worked with other community partners to suppress gang and drug related activity, using a variety of tools and methods," Sprouse wrote. "Our community must continue to work together to not only deal with the violence when it occurs, but to continue the sometimes difficult conversations and actions necessary to address the root causes of such violence."
Sprouse also wrote, "I ask our residents to join me in praying for the protection of our officers who are out there working around the clock to protect us. Please pray also for the families affected by the recent loss of life. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding any violent death, the victim is a human being who is cherished and loved unconditionally by his Creator. Lastly, please pray for our city leaders and the decisions that are made as we move through the next few days. I know God will continue to guide us and protect us, as we seek His wisdom. We are truly blessed to live in Springdale."
Ron Wood may be reached by email at [email protected].
A Section on 03/17/2015