Gunshots During Domestic Disturbance Leads to Felony Charge

JONESBORO, Ark. — A man was arrested on an aggravated assault charge this week in Jonesboro after he allegedly shot a gun following an argument with his live-in girlfriend.

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On Monday, Sept. 16, Jonesboro officers were dispatched to the 3500 block of Race Street about shots fired. When officers arrived, they located a witness who observed a black male and white female arguing, according to the probable cause affidavit. As the female was walking away, the witness said the male fired a few rounds from the handgun “at the female and a few rounds into the air.” The witness took photos of both on their phone and showed them to officers.

The Street Crimes Unit arrived and began knocking on a door in the complex to locate the male. The witness notified police the male was running from the back of the complex. Investigator Huff observed a black male with a backpack running through the field behind the complex. Both he and Sgt. Chester gave chase and located the male who was identified as Trayvon Gooch. He was found hiding in an abandoned trailer just south of the complex, with officers reportedly finding him in the bathtub using a shower curtain as cover.

Officers located the backpack Gooch had been carrying inside of the trailer. Inside the backpack, police found a .22 caliber handgun, a digital scale, bullets, and a piece of paper with Gooch’s name on it. Officers also found a bag containing 1.4 grams of marijuana in his pocket.

Investigators interviewed Gooch, who said he had been living with his girlfriend and they got into an argument about smoking marijuana. Gooch confessed to shooting the gun, the affidavit said. He stated he just shot into the air and was not trying to shoot Riley.

Authorities recovered a single spent .22 shell casing at the scene.

Trayvon Frank Gooch, 21, was arrested on charges including aggravated assault on a family or household member, a Class D felony; possession, fleeing, and carrying a weapon, misdemeanors; and discharging firearms within the city limits, a local ordinance violation.

Gooch was in court for his probable cause hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 18. Judge David Boling noted he had two outstanding arrest warrants and set bail at $250,000 cash or surety with a GPS ankle monitor ordered. The public defender was also appointed to the case.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.