FAYETTEVILLE -- The Sherwood man arrested in connection with a New Year's Day homicide is set to be arraigned Feb. 5.
Christopher Rankin, 25, admitted to being involved in the shooting but said he fired the gun while fleeing from the man who was killed, according to a police report.
Rankin was at the Washington County jail Saturday in lieu of $250,000 bond.
Trenton Coney, 22, of Springdale was pronounced dead at 1:40 a.m. Monday at a hospital. He was shot once in the chest, according to a news release from the Fayetteville Police Department.
Those involved in the incident seemed to be leaving a private New Year's Eve party just down the street at 339 N. West Ave., Police Chief Greg Tabor said.
Several witnesses told police that Rankin was talking with a woman in the parking lot of Arsaga's at the Depot when Coney walked up to check on her. Coney and the woman were friends, police said.
Rankin got upset, pulled a gun from his jacket pocket and pointed it at Coney, according to the news release.
The men exchanged words and Rankin put the gun back in his pocket before a physical altercation began, police said. Coney fell to the ground before Rankin stood over him, pulled the gun from his pocket and fired one shot, striking Coney in his chest, according to the news release.
A police officer was flagged down at 12:47 a.m. Rankin fled, and police found and arrested him about 4 a.m. near Stadium Drive and Rochier Street, authorities said.
Metro on 01/07/2018