Phillips County Shooting Leaves Woman Dead, Suspect Arrested

Investigators in Phillips County say a woman found with multiple gunshot wounds on December 8 was later pronounced dead, and authorities have arrested a suspect and charged him with first degree murder. Police located the victim along S. Baringo Street between Ladino Street and West Celburne Ave and transported her to Helena Regional Medical Center, where she later died. The victim has been identified as Jalexus Carter.

Authorities identified Brandon Johnson as the person responsible for the shooting. Johnson was taken into custody and charged with first degree murder. Police say details surrounding the shooting are still under investigation, and prosecutors will determine the next steps in the criminal case as investigators continue to gather evidence.

The location of the incident in the city of Helena West Helena places the investigation within a community already attentive to questions of public safety and police transparency. Residents living near S. Baringo Street often rely on local patrols for timely responses, and a high profile violent incident can affect community confidence in both enforcement and preventive programs. The hospital response and the decision to transport the victim to Helena Regional Medical Center show the role of local emergency medical systems in critical incidents and point to the need for coordination among first responders, law enforcement, and health providers.

For the county, the arrest and charge mean the matter will move into the formal court process, where prosecutors will present evidence and a judge will oversee pretrial procedures. The outcome will have implications for community trust in the criminal justice system and for public debate about safety measures, policing priorities, and victim services in Phillips County.

As investigators continue to assemble facts, residents should expect periodic updates from law enforcement and county authorities. Civic engagement and informed oversight can help ensure that the investigation proceeds transparently and that community concerns about safety and justice are addressed in the coming weeks.