Two Arrested After Weekend Confrontation Leads to Shots Fired Into Crowd with Children

JONESBORO, Ark. — A tense confrontation between two groups resulted in two people being arrested, with one accused of firing gunshots into a crowd. However, the defense lawyer indicated that his defendants were the ones who were attacked.

Casyuna C. Newbern, 20, faces charges including criminal attempt, a Class C felony; aggravated assault, a Class D felony; and first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, a Class D felony.

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Christopher Kinnon, 26, faces charges including first-degree terroristic threatening, a Class D felony; fleeing, a Class C misdemeanor; second-degree assault on a family or household member, and resisting arrest, both Class B misdemeanors.

Jonesboro police responded around 6:08 p.m. on Sept, 21 to an address on Alpine about shots fired, according to the probable cause affidavit. A witness police described as “impartial” indicated Newbern and her boyfriend, Kinnon, aggressively arrived at the scene and began engaging the alleged victims with aggressive behavior. This led to a physical altercation with five people.

Following the altercation, the witness said Newbern retrieved a handgun from her vehicle and fired three shots into the crowd. One of the alleged victims attempted to disarm Newbern, preventing further shots. Newbern and Kinnon then fled the scene with the firearm.

Responding officers were told the suspect vehicle was a blue Malibu. One officer observed a matching vehicle leaving the area and conducted a traffic stop. During the stop, a second affidavit stated Kinnon resisted detainment and fled on foot back towards the shooting scene. He was apprehended but police reported he resisted arrest while being handcuffed. Then, he complained of an injury and was transported to a local hospital.

While being escorted to the ambulance, Kinnon’s affidavit alleges that he threatened five victims by saying, “One by one, I am going to kill yall.”

Police determined the intended target of the aggression was an alleged victim who shares a child with Kinnon. Further investigation indicated Kinnon had allegedly pushed a female victim against a vehicle. She was later interviewed and observed walking with a limp, confirming the injury was caused by Kinnon.

During a Mirandaized interview, Newbern allegedly confessed to firing the handgun during the altercation. The investigation revealed eight people were in the crowd, including two children under the age of five.

Jonesboro attorney Josh Eason represented both Newbern and Kinnon in court on Monday, Sept. 23,  during their probable cause hearings. He noted that Newbern was only 20, and had never been in trouble, and he stated it was his client who was confronted. The defense lawyer said Newbern was defending herself and believed the temp bond, which was set at $150,000 cash or surety, was “egregious.” However, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katie Calaway said it was a fairly serious charge and noted the alleged confession of Newbern firing into the crowd. Judge David Boling kept Newbern’s bond at $150,000 cash or surety.

Bail for Kinnon was set at $50,000 cash or surety, more than his attorney had asked for but less than the state had requested.

No contact orders were issued for the alleged victims in the case, with the defendants also ordered not to possess any firearms. Newbern was ordered to wear an ankle monitor.

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