NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Presents will go unopened and a seat at the Christmas table will be empty Wednesday because of a deadly shooting on Christmas Eve morning in North Little Rock.
Police say at 6:20 a.m. they responded to the 1300 block of Maple Street and pronounced a man, shot at least once, dead at the scene.
Man killed in Christmas Eve shooting in North Little Rock
The rain was unable to wash away how people like Abdulsalaam “Chi” Muhammad Sr. felt about a man being shot and killed hours earlier.
“I’m sad. I feel very connected to the people who I don’t even know. It’s just the fact of the thing that they have suffered with, it is pretty traumatic,” he said.
The North Little Rock Police Department has not identified a suspect or victim, the latter because NLRPD stated it is still working to notify next of kin.
Muhammad Sr. stated sadly some people do not care what holiday it is when they have an intent to hurt someone else.
“People get into arguments, disputes, disagreements all throughout the year you know, and there is no consideration of what is right or what is wrong,” Muhammad said. “Only a consideration of what you done did to me and that’s it.”
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Off-camera, families were bringing presents inside and visiting parents for the holidays just feet from where a man died. This latest homicide was the 18th of the year for the city according to NLRPD. In 2023, they reported 22 homicides. In 2022, they reported 20.
Across the Arkansas River, the Little Rock Police Department has reported 37 homicides so far in 2024 which is a 41% decrease from the 63 at this time in 2023. Even so, people near the latest crime scene say one is too many whether it is considered the most wonderful time of the year or not.
“Don’t let human emotions dictate the decision on what you’re going to make. Always make sure that you think things out first,” Muhammad advised. “Then you’ll get a better outcome with yourself and people.”
North Little Rock police investigating Saturday deadly shooting
NLRPD asks anyone who may have information regarding the homicide to call its tip line at 501-680-8439. Those with information can remain anonymous.
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