WASHINGTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Ark. — A man arrested after police say he "targeted" and murdered a man in Washington County last year has been sentenced.
Cecedrice Poole, 40, was arrested in Prairie Grove in May 2023 after shooting and killing 40-year-old Cedric King and attempting to run away.
On Aug. 27, 2024, Poole changed his plea from not guilty to guilty and received a sentence for murder, along with numerous other charges related to multiple ongoing cases.
The following are Poole's cases and corresponding charges he pleaded guilty to:
Murder in Prairie Grove on May 18, 2023:
- First-degree murder
- Simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms
- Possession of a controlled substance (cocaine)
- Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
Fleeing the scene of the Prairie Grove murder on May 18, 2023:
- Second-degree criminal mischief
- Leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage
Stabbing someone at Brewski's Emporium in Fayetteville on May 1, 2023:
- Second-degree battery
Fight with a female in a car in Springdale on Feb. 12, 2023:
- Third-degree battery
Additionally, Poole faces prison time for revocation of probated sentences related to prior drug offenses.
Washington County Prosecutor Denis Dean, who handled the case, tells 5NEWS that justice has been delivered.
"I wish to thank the Prairie Grove Police Department, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Fayetteville Police Department for joining together to investigate this homicide case in a thorough, expedient, and professional manner. Their hard work enabled the family of Cedric King as well as the other victims affected by the defendant to obtain justice swiftly," Dean said.
In total, as Poole's sentences are concurrent, he is expected to serve 50 years in prison.
The Crime
According to officials with the Prairie Grove Police Department (PGPD), officers responded to reports of gunfire in the 1000 block of Sundowner Ranch Ave. around 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 18, 2023.
When they arrived, police say they found one man, who was identified as King, unresponsive. He was killed in the shooting.
A preliminary report said that Poole entered the home and shot King with a rifle.
Police said Poole fled the scene in a vehicle, drove down the road, and shot at the residence while a 17-year-old was in the front yard. He later crashed into parked cars a few blocks away. Witnesses observed and photographed Poole exiting his vehicle with a rifle before fleeing on foot.
Poole was located and arrested shortly after. Police said he didn't have any weapons on him when he was found but was carrying a plastic bag containing 26.81 grams of cocaine.
Investigators said they learned that Poole was upset after finding out that the mother of his 6-year-old child, who lives in the home, had another man in the residence with his daughter present.
According to police, five people including Poole's daughter were home when he shot and killed King.
The report states that Poole didn't shoot anyone else in the home, even though he had the opportunity, indicating that King was "clearly targeted."
PGPD Captain Jeff O'Brien said that investigators worked all night to interview witnesses.
"There were several people in the home that had to be interviewed to figure out the details of what happened and why it happened," O'Brien said.
A check of Arkansas court records shows a long list of previous felony charges for Poole including kidnapping, drugs, and gun charges.
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