HS senior killed in shooting at “after prom party” in Arkansas
PHILLIPS COUNTY, Ark. — A senior at Helena-West Helena Central High School is dead and another teenager is charged with murder after a post-prom party turned violent Saturday.
Dr. Keith McGee, superintendent of Helena-West Helena Schools, says he is saddened by the death of 18-year-old senior Lorenzo Harrison III, who was shot dead early Sunday morning.
“Anytime any superintendent, certainly myself, loses any of my scholars, my heart just goes out,” he said.
AR police find suspect involved in death of HS senior
The fatal shooting happened while an “after-prom party” was being held on Highway 49 in Phillips County.
“The only thing I can tell you is it was a non-school event. I personally was not aware of this ‘after prom party,'” McGee said.
The tragedy comes less than a month before Harrison and other seniors are set to graduate.
“It was shared that he was one that we did speak with, he was on time, we speak with all of them, every last one of them including him and he was looking forward to graduating on time,” McGee said.
While no details have been released, It was later revealed that the shooting happened in the parking lot of a business across the highway from the event venue.
A WREG reporter watched the security camera video, which is not being released. It shows a car parked on the lot with several people outside it. Another vehicle pulled onto the lot, a subject exited the vehicle with an assault-style weapon and opened fire.
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The suspect vehicle crashed into this ditch while driving away at a high speed.
The Arkansas State Police announced that 19-year-old Donterious Stephens, a graduate of Central High, was arrested and will be charged with first-degree murder.
Monday, Arkansas State Police agents and Phillips County deputies were searching the area for more evidence while Dr. McGee tried to convince students to put down the guns.
“I want to be able to reach them to help them understand there’s another way to solve disputes without using guns or violence,” McGee said.
We are told grief counselors and other services are available for students, and Dr. Mcgee told us he has reached out to the family of Lorenzo Harrison III to offer prayers and support.
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