BENTONVILLE -- Four people were arrested in connection with the killing of a 23-year-old man, Benton County Sheriff Shawn Holloway said Thursday.
Holloway said Zackary David Whitcomb, 19, of 16205 Sycamore Lane in Rogers; David Arthur Adair Jr., 26, of 716 W. Maple St. in Rogers; Mark Andrew Brannan, 31, of 523 W. Wilson St. in Fayetteville; and Lydia Elaine Riggs, 23 of 20370 Durham McCord Road in Elkins were arrested in connection with capital murder.
Prosecutors haven't yet filed formal charges against the four. They are expected to have bond hearings today.
A passerby reported seeing a body on the side of Van Hollow Road on Monday, Holloway said. Authorities believe the body had been there for about 12 to 18 hours. The body was identified as Lavonte Jackson. Holloway didn't give Jackson's hometown.
Holloway said it's believed Jackson was killed in the Beaver Shores area near the Arkansas 12 bridge, which is 7 or 8 miles from where the body was found.
Jackson's body was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory in Little Rock for an autopsy, Holloway said.
The Sheriff's Office didn't yet know how Jackson was killed, but Holloway said authorities believe a struggle was involved. Holloway said drugs are suspected to be a part of the crime. Holloway described it as a "hideous crime."
Holloway said there's a possibility of gang involvement. There's no indication the case involves racial motives, Holloway said. Jackson is black and the four suspects were white.
The four were arrested at different times and places during the past several days, Holloway said. The Sheriff's Office quickly developed suspects, and Holloway credited the Criminal Investigation Division for digging up clues including information on social media.
The four individuals have given statements to detectives, but Holloway said he wouldn't give details of the interviews.
All four have been in the Benton County Jail previously in connection with other crimes, Holloway said.
Adair was charged last year with battery and possession of a firearm by certain persons in another criminal case.
On Nov. 6, police went to North Seventh Street in Rogers for the report of a shooting, according to court documents. Police found Joshua Borchert with a gunshot wound to his foot, according to the affidavit.
Borchert told police Adair pulled a gun and shot him in the foot and left the scene, according to the affidavit. Adair was free on $35,000 bond.
NW News on 02/28/2020
This story was originally published at 1:00 a.m.