Donameka Ballard, 24, was fatally shot on October 18, 2019, in West Helena, Arkansas. Ballard was found near East Garland Avenue and Sixth Street with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at the scene. The shooting was one of a series of violent incidents that day in the area; earlier that morning Jamarius Reese, 20, was also shot and killed at Park and Dinan streets. Authorities described the incidents as believed to be retaliatory, but did not confirm a direct connection between them.

Helena-West Helena police identified three persons of interest in Ballard’s death: 19-year-old Tre’von Hill, 19-year-old Tyranza Young, and 21-year-old Kylan Williams. On October 20, 2019, Tre’von Hill was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and held without bond; his first court appearance was scheduled for the following Tuesday. The community reacted with concern over rising violence and the presence of firearms among local youth.

Anyone with information about Donameka Ballard’s death is asked to contact the Helena-West Helena Police Department.