Man arrested in early Sunday fatal shooting in Jonesboro

Authorities say Demetrie Allen, 33, of Blytheville was identified as the suspect in the killing of Courtney Mullins, 42.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:11pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a spent shell casing on a dark, textured surface, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually illustrating the investigative process following a violent crime.The discovery of physical evidence at a crime scene often provides crucial clues for investigators working to solve a violent incident.Jonesboro Today

Arkansas State Police have arrested a 33-year-old Blytheville man, Demetrie Allen, in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred early Sunday morning east of Jonesboro. Authorities say Allen was identified as the suspect in the killing of Courtney Mullins, 42, who was found shot multiple times in a parking lot and later died at a hospital.

Why it matters

Violent crime, including gun violence, remains a concern in parts of Arkansas, and this arrest highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to investigate and apprehend suspects in such cases.

The details

According to authorities, deputies with the Craighead County Sheriff's Office responded around 1:32 a.m. Sunday to a report of gunshots at a location on Arkansas Highway 18, where they found Courtney Mullins lying in the parking lot with multiple gunshot wounds. Mullins was transported to a hospital but did not survive. State police later spotted Demetrie Allen, the suspected shooter, leaving a gas station on Interstate 55 in Crittenden County and arrested him around 3 p.m. on Monday.

  • The shooting incident occurred around 1:32 a.m. on Sunday, April 6, 2026.
  • Demetrie Allen was arrested by Arkansas State Police around 3 p.m. on Monday, April 7, 2026.

The players

Demetrie Allen

A 33-year-old man from Blytheville, Arkansas who was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Courtney Mullins.

Courtney Mullins

A 42-year-old man who was found shot multiple times in a parking lot and later died from his injuries at a hospital.

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What’s next

Allen is being held in the Craighead County jail on a first-degree murder charge, with no bond amount listed.

The takeaway

This arrest highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in addressing violent crime in parts of Arkansas, and the importance of thorough investigations and swift action to apprehend suspects in such cases.