ARREST UPDATE:

On May 5, 2022, at approximately 10am, officers of the Hope Police Department arrested a 16-year-old juvenile male with a warrant for one count of Murder 1st Degree and one count of Engaging in Violent Criminal Group Activity. This arrest is in connection with the homicide that occurred at Northside Park in Hope on April 10, 2022.  The juvenile is being held in a juvenile facility.

This investigation is still ongoing.

Original Release:

On April 10, 2022, at approximately 4am, officers of the Hope Police Department responded to reports of a person who had been shot at Northside Park in Hope, Arkansas.  

While enroute, officers were advised that one person with a gunshot wound was being transported by personal vehicle to Wadley Hospital in Hope, Arkansas.  

Upon arrival at Northside Park officers found one person lying in the parking lot near the entrance to the park with an apparent gunshot wound. That person was identified as Bernard McCarthur Jr, 24, of Hope.  Mr. McCarthur was transported to Wadley Regional Medical Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. 

The victim who was transported to the hospital by personal vehicle was identified as Stevaughn Johnson, 26 of Hope.  He was subsequently transported to Wadley Regional Medical Center in Texarkana, Texas.  

No arrests have been made at this time.
If anyone has any video or other information about this incident please call 911 or Lieutenant Jimmy Courtney at 870-722-2560.  

This investigation is ongoing.