On the evening of September 9, 2022, a burst of gunfire in Little Rock left 18-year-old Aukemian Spencer dead and several others wounded. Officers found Spencer, a Black male, in the driver’s seat of a white SUV near the 1000 block of South Van Buren Street with an apparent gunshot wound. Medical personnel pronounced him deceased after being called to the scene just before 9:45 p.m.

Two other people inside the SUV were also shot and taken to a local hospital in stable condition. A second vehicle was struck by gunfire that night; its occupants — two adults and a 17-year-old — were treated for minor injuries reportedly caused by debris from the shooting. Shot Spotter activation and numerous 911 calls guided the initial response.

Homicide detectives and the Crime Scene Search Unit canvassed the neighborhood and appealed to the public for information. Authorities described the incident as isolated and said the investigation was ongoing; no arrests or suspects have been publicly identified. If anyone saw activity near 12th Street and Jonesboro that night or has information about Aukemian Spencer, please come forward.