FAYETTEVILLE -- A Springdale teen charged with first-degree murder and two counts of battery related to a fatal shooting in March is expected to go to trial just after the first of the year.
Hector Saul Ramos, 17, who is charged as an adult, appeared before Judge Joanna Taylor in Washington County Circuit Court on Tuesday for a status hearing. Ramos pleaded not guilty in May. He is set for trial Jan. 11.
Prosecutor Matt Durrett said arrangements are being made for interpreters, including a sign language interpreter for one witness, and the sides are in the final stages of legal preparations. A hearing on several pending pretrial motions is set for Jan. 8.
Ramos faces 10 to 40 years or life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder. The battery charges carry prison terms of five to 20 years. He's also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.
The shooting early March 13 killed one teen and injured two other young people, Springdale police said.
Police found Fabian Rodriguez, 18, of 2406 Trudi Place with a gunshot wound at 3:21 a.m. in the yard of 32 Applegate Drive. 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.
Ramos, who lived with his mother, told police 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 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.
Springdale police have described the shooting as gang-related.
Ramos is being held in the Washington County Juvenile Detention Center on a $250,000 bond. Ramos will continue to be held at the juvenile facility if he doesn't make bond, according to prosecutors.
NW News on 11/25/2015