A block party on Second Street in Stamps, Arkansas, ended in gunfire shortly after midnight on May 27, 2023. Jaquarious D. Easter, an 18-year-old Black male from Waldo, was fatally wounded and pronounced dead after being taken to Magnolia Regional Medical Center. A 16-year-old from East Camden was also shot and suffered serious but non life-threatening injuries; that youth was later transferred to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock.

The Stamps Police Department first received calls about the shooting at 1:24 a.m. and the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division has taken over the homicide probe. Easter’s body was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for an official determination of cause and manner of death. No suspects have been publicly identified and no arrests have been announced.

Anyone who was at the block party or who has information about the shooting is encouraged to contact investigators.