Two arrested in carjacking after TV interview charged in shooting

Gregory Smith, left, and Brian Austin
Gregory Smith, left, and Brian Austin

Two Little Rock teenagers have been charged in connection with a Jan. 31 shooting in southwest Little Rock.

Brian Austin, 15, and Gregory Smith, 16, were already in custody at the Pulaski County jail on unrelated carjacking charges.

The shooting victim identified the teens in a photo lineup, according to Little Rock police.

The victim, whose injuries were minor, told police two unknown people robbed him with a gun at 8600 Community Road more than a week ago, but they had not been identified until Monday.

Austin and Smith now face additional first-degree battery and aggravated robbery charges, police spokesman Steve McClanahan said.

The teens made national headlines after they were arrested Feb. 2 for reportedly stealing a car at knife point.

Less than a day before their arrests, the boys had been interviewed by KARK-TV Channel 4 reporter Shannon Miller as part of story titled "Teens, community members weigh-in on youth violence."

The story was in response to three separate homicides in Little Rock on Jan. 31. Two other Little Rock teens were charged in one of the slayings.

ADVERTISEMENT

More headlines

Upcoming Events