BENTONVILLE -- A Rogers man pleaded not guilty Monday to charges he injured two people in a shooting incident.
Devon Blake Russell, 24, is charged with two counts of first-degree battery. He entered the plea at his video arraignment before Benton County Circuit Judge Brad Karren.
Russell, who is being held in the Benton County Jail on a $250,000 bond, was arrested Nov. 11. in connection with a shooting at McDonald's at 903 W. Walnut St. in Rogers.
Darla Ferguson told police she and two other people arranged to meet Russell at the restaurant, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Ferguson said Russell was under the impression she, Charles Rogers and Spencer King were going to sell him drugs, according to the affidavit. She said Russell owed them money from a previous drug deal, so they were using the arranged meeting as a ploy to get money from him, the affidavit states.
Ferguson said they crushed up Alka-Seltzer and packaged it in a 'baggie' to resemble a drug, according to the affidavit. She met with Russell in the McDonald's parking lot while King and Rogers waited where Russell couldn't see them, according to the affidavit. Ferguson said when Russell got into the front passenger seat of her car, King and Rogers got in the back, the affidavit states.
Rogers got out of the car and pulled Russell out of the front seat, according to court documents.
Ferguson said she heard Rogers say "Don't draw, don't draw," and Rogers got in the front passenger seat and told her to leave, the affidavit states. She heard five gun shots, according to the affidavit. King was shot twice in his chest and Rogers suffered a gunshot wound to his shoulder.
Russell told police Rogers and King robbed him at knife point, and he was able to get away and shot at Rogers, according to court documents. Russell said he didn't know King also was shot, according to the affidavit.
An omnibus hearing is scheduled for 8 a.m. Feb. 26.
Russell, if convicted, faces five to 20 years in prison on each battery count.
NW News on 01/16/2019