A 27-year-old Arkansas man has received two life sentences plus an additional 825 years for fatally shooting an off-duty police officer during a gang-related incident in West Memphis on April 28, 2018.
According to WREG, a Crittenden County jury found Demarcus Donnell Parker guilty of first-degree murder plus several other charges in relation to the shooting that led to the death of 25-year-old Oliver Johnson.
Johnson, who was with the Forrest City Police force at the time of his death, was hit by a stray bullet in his apartment when Parker was shooting at rival gang members while in a vehicle, prosecutors said. The deceased was with one of his daughters and other children when he was struck. Neighbors also told police they heard about 40 gunshots during the incident, though authorities believe he wasn’t the target.
Parker received two life sentences for first-degree murder and first-degree unlawful discharge of a firearm from a vehicle respectively, according to WREG. He additionally got 180 years for six counts of attempted first-degree murder and 300 years for 15 counts of second-degree unlawful discharge of a firearm from a vehicle.
Parker also received a 15-year enhancement for committing a felony with a firearm on each of 23 counts and another 10-year enhancement for committing the aforementioned felonies in the presence of a child. He will serve the two life sentences and the cumulative 835 years concurrently.
“The jury listened to both sides, and ultimately returned maximum sentences on all counts and recommended they be run consecutively,” a statement by prosecuting attorney Scott Ellington said. “Sadly, none of this will bring Officer Johnson back to his family, but maybe they will find some comfort that justice was served this week.”
Another suspect involved in the shooting and facing similar charges, George Jealvontia Henderson, has pleaded not guilty and has a pending trial, the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports.
