A family gathering in West Helena, Arkansas, ended in tragedy on October 31, 2021, when 48-year-old Joe Lewis Clayton Sr was fatally shot. Clayton, described as an African American man who loved his family and had a sense of humor, was found on the ground with a gunshot wound to the chest after police responded to a disturbance call. He was taken to Helena Regional Medical Center, where he died of his injuries.

Investigators focused on a conflict within the family. After witness interviews and review of video evidence, authorities identified 56-year-old Howard Tate, Clayton’s brother-in-law, as the alleged shooter. Tate was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and held at the Phillips County Detention Center on $500,000 bond. The motive has not been publicly released.

If anyone has information about what happened that night or knew the family, please share what you know.