FORT SMITH, Ark. — Police in Fort Smith are asking for the public’s help in finding a woman accused of fatally shooting a 16-year-old boy earlier this week.
The Fort Smith Police Department said Wednesday that 19-year-old Jasmine Ashani Johnston is wanted in connection with a shooting that left a teenage boy dead. Investigators have charged her with first-degree murder and aggravated robbery, and she is described as armed and considered extremely dangerous.
Officers responded to a report of a shooting around 6 p.m. Tuesday and found the teen suffering from life-threatening injuries near the Interstate 540 onramp off Kelley Highway.
Police said the shooting actually took place in the 5300 block of Elm Street before the victim ended up near the highway. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his wounds. His name has not been made public.
Anyone with information about the case is urged to call the Fort Smith Police Department at (479) 709-5000 or dial 911 in an emergency.
Community Mourns Another Young Life Lost
The killing has shaken residents across Fort Smith, many of whom say the loss of another teenager to gun violence is becoming an all-too-familiar heartbreak. Kristan Mosley, who works with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Smith, said the death reaches far beyond the victim himself, cutting short the hopes his family, friends, and teachers had built around his future.
Mosley said the organization tries to give young people a safe, supervised place to spend their time, especially during the summer months when school is out and many parents are working.
She believes social media has played a role in normalizing violence among teens and that many young people simply haven’t been taught how to work through conflict in healthy ways. Mosley said kids need real, face-to-face relationships where they feel valued, since those conflict resolution skills aren’t something learned through a screen.
Faith Leaders Offer Support to Grieving Families
Local churches are also stepping up to help the community process the tragedy. Eric Simms, assistant pastor at St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Smith, said his congregation wants to be a resource for anyone struggling in the aftermath of the shooting, whether they need someone to talk to, prayer, or just a listening ear.
As the search for Johnston continues, police have not released additional details about a possible motive or her relationship to the victim. Investigators are continuing to gather evidence and interview witnesses as the case develops.
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available from law enforcement.
