A 17-year-old male has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with a shooting death that occurred on Jan. 6.
LaRodrious N. Carter, 17, of El Dorado, made his first appearance Tuesday in 35th Judicial District Court on felony charges of murder in the first degree and possession of a handgun by a minor for his alleged role in the death of 33-year-old Gregory L. Ford. Carter was charged as an adult and is being held on a $1 million bond.
On the night of Jan. 6, Ford was found unresponsive on his front porch at 1301 E. Burns after El Dorado police were called there in reference to shots fired.
Capt. Kevin Holt, public information officer for the El Dorado Police Department, said investigators took Carter into custody for first-degree murder late Friday afternoon, adding that Carter will face both felony charges as an adult and charges of minor in possession of a weapon.
Holt said detectives are still working to establish a firm motive for the shooting.
“We don’t have any information for a motive that we’re ready to release at this time,” he said. “As far as information about a suspect, that comes from consistent investigation, processing the (crime) scene and interviewing as many people as possible.”
Holt previously said detectives are working several different angles and leads, based on tips and other information they have gathered through the investigation.
“Some of that we don’t want to release just yet because we’re anticipating more arrests as the investigation continues,” he said.
Holt said he is still awaiting the results of a preliminary report on an autopsy from the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory in Little Rock.
In addition to the $1 million bond in any form acceptable to sheriff, Judge George Van Hook also set a daily curfew of 4 p.m. to 7 a.m. for Carter if he is released on bond from the Union County Jail.