Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – Two Jonesboro men are behind bars following an investigation into a “shots heard” report Tuesday afternoon that prompted a precautionary lockdown at the Nettleton STEAM school.
Ryan Johnson, 22, and Darrick Harris, 19, face separate felony charges resulting from the multi-agency response. Court documents reveal the incident led to four total arrests across two law enforcement agencies, the recovery of a firearm, and the capture of two suspects wanted for a weekend armed robbery.
The sequence of events began around 1:11 p.m. when a school resource officer reported hearing gunshots next to the Nettleton campus. Both the Craighead County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and Jonesboro Police Department (JPD) responded to the area. Jason Allen, assistant chief deputy with CCSO, confirmed to JRN on Wednesday that while shots were indeed fired, they were not directed toward the school.
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While securing the exterior of the school near Promise Lane, a Craighead County deputy observed Johnson walking approximately 60 feet from the school building. According to a probable cause affidavit, Johnson claimed he was coming from his sister’s home and provided a false birth year. While running his information, the deputy discovered a firearm in the front pocket of Johnson’s jacket.
Johnson was arrested by CCSO and faces charges of possession of a handgun on school property and obstructing governmental operations. During his probable cause hearing Wednesday, District Judge Tommy Fowler set Johnson’s bond at $50,000 cash/surety, with his next court appearance scheduled for Nov. 23.
Simultaneously, JPD officers were investigating the initial “shots heard” call nearby on Mary Jane Drive. There, three individuals fled from officers on foot.
According to an official JPD incident report, officers apprehended all three suspects, all of whom were unarmed at the time: a 17-year-old juvenile, and a 14-year-old juvenile, and Harris.
The arrests of Harris and the 17-year-old come a couple of days after JPD began an investigation into an armed robbery.
According to the affidavit, Harris (who identified himself as “DJ”) and the 17-year-old were the primary suspects in an aggravated robbery on Sunday, Oct. 18, at an apartment on Self Circle. Two juvenile victims were lured to the apartment, where two males pointed a gun at them and stole cash and a cell phone. The school resource officer recognized the suspects Tuesday, noting they were still wearing clothing items that matched footage from Sunday’s robbery.
Harris faces charges of aggravated robbery and fleeing. Fowler set his bond at $150,000 cash/surety and ordered him to wear a GPS ankle monitor and have no contact with the victims if released. Harris’s next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 16.
Authorities confirmed there were no injuries or property damage related to Tuesday’s incident near the school. The lockdown at Nettleton STEAM, which the affidavit noted had approximately 330 students inside at the time, was lifted by 3 p.m. that afternoon once all the suspects were in custody.
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