Christoph Jarek CJ Vick, 19, of Star City, Arkansas, was shot and killed during a planned robbery connected to a drug deal on the evening of July 4, 2022. The meeting happened in the parking lot of the Dollar General at 612 South Lincoln Avenue in Star City, where Vick and an associate, William Pearson, had arranged to buy half an ounce of marijuana from 19-year-old Dawson Maples of Benton.

According to the Lincoln County prosecutor, Maples drove a green Toyota Prius to the meeting with an unidentified Black male in the front passenger seat. Pearson reportedly drew a gun on Maples; Maples then produced a gun for himself and another for the passenger. During a struggle in the back seat, the passenger shot Vick multiple times. Investigators later found the Prius at Maples Investments in Benton with apparent bullet holes and muzzle burns inside, two bullet fragments in the back seat, and signs the interior had been cleaned. No shell casings, weapons, or Vick’s backpack were located in the car.

Maples was arrested and charged with First-Degree Murder, delivery of a controlled substance, unlawful use of a communications device, and tampering with physical evidence; bond was set at $75,000. Police were still trying to identify the front-seat shooter. If anyone knew who was riding in that Prius or has information about the shooting, please come forward.