Mikel Dwayne Booker, 60, was killed by a gunshot wound on November 26, 2024, after an altercation that began in front of a local motel in West Helena and ended at the entrance of an O'Reilly Auto Parts store. A lifelong Helena resident, Booker worked at the A & Z Market and as a landscaper; family and neighbors remembered him for his humor, generosity, love of dancing and basketball, and as a brother to seven sisters and one brother.

Police responded quickly and arrested a suspect who was taken to the Phillips County Detention Center. While in intake the individual barricaded himself, obtained an instrument and injured himself; officers used pepper spray to subdue him and he was taken to a local hospital for treatment. No other injuries were reported.

The suspect’s identity and the motive for the shooting have not been released and the Helena-West Helena Police Department’s investigation is ongoing. If anyone knew Mikel or has information about what happened that night, please come forward.