On Sunday, December 7, 2025, officers found 27-year-old Jalexus D. Carter at a home on 138 Baringo Street in Helena–West Helena with gunshot wounds. Pafford EMS and the Helena–West Helena Fire Department provided lifesaving efforts and Carter was taken to Helena Regional Medical Center, where she died.

Carter was born and raised in Helena–West Helena and is remembered by family and friends as warm, gentle, and musical, with a ready laugh and strong ties to faith and community. Police said witnesses identified Brandon Johnson as the suspect; he was detained, located and arrested the next day and charged with first-degree murder. Phillips County Sheriff’s Office booking records later listed Johnson in custody on that charge with a $1,000,000 bond and a December 16, 2025 booking date.

No additional suspects or court outcomes have been publicly reported.