x
Breaking News
More () »

Fort Smith man charged with manslaughter for fatal shooting of 18-year-old

Lionel Larrinaga will be arraigned on April 7. His bond has been set at $50,000 cash only.

FORT SMITH, Ark. — A Fort Smith man has been charged with manslaughter and Felony with Firearm for a teen's fatal shooting in August of 2020 and will be arraigned on April 7. 

His bond has been set at $50,000 cash only. 

According to Aric Mitchell, Fort Smith Police Department PIO, after working with the Sebastian County Sheriff's Office, a manslaughter warrant was obtained for the shooting death of 18-year-old Averill James on August 17, 2020, that happened at the Allied Gardens Estate Apartments on Johnson Street.

Lionel Larrinaga was arrested on the warrant Thursday (April 1) afternoon by Fort Smith officers. 

"We would like to thank the Prosecuting Attorney, our community, and especially the family of the victim, as our Detectives worked to bring this case to a conclusion," Mitchell said. 

According to his obituary, Averill James was beginning his senior year at Belle Point Center when he was shot and killed. 

Mitchell did not provide details surrounding the shooting. 

Larrinaga has been arrested multiple times since March 2020, which included charges of possession of drugs and firearms, failure to appear and driving while intoxicated. 

RELATED: Wife of former Fort Smith pastor arrested for his alleged murder

RELATED: Multiple people shot in Fort Smith Wednesday night, two people arrested

Before You Leave, Check This Out