Little Rock police have arrested two men in the slaying of a 78-year-old man about 12:30 p.m. Thursday at the Frontier Diner on Interstate 30 in Southwest Little Rock.
Charged with capital murder and robbery are Marquis Parker, 21, and Adrian Avery, 21, both of North Little Rock.
The victim was identified this afternoon, after notification of kind, as Harold Byrd, 77, of Little Rock.
Police found the victim dead on the floor near the cash register when they arrived. Witnessses said two armed men with masks entered the store. One gunshot was fired as they entered, which hit the victim and he immediately fell to the ground. The gunman then fled in a vehicle described to police by a witness.
Avery was found driving the vehicle in North Little Rock. Early today, officers took Parker into custody. Parker led detectives to the weapon used, a police release said.
Police said the victim was a diner customer, waiting in line to pay. A spokesman said he couldn’t speculate if the victim was targeted by the shot or a victim of happenstance.
UPDATE: Police say they are seeking a third suspect in the case, Corey Eskridge, 21. Avery, according to court documents, told police he’d given two men a ride to the diner, but did not go in himself. He said said he heard a gun shot and the men returned to the car. They told him a “gun went off” and an “old man” was shot. Avery then drove them away. A description of his car led to his arrest.