WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. — Logan Ashler Rentz was acquitted of second-degree murder but found guilty of manslaughter in the death of Shannon Fisher on October 1, 2026, defense attorney Zach Morrison confirmed in response to an inquiry from NEA Report.
NEA Report contacted Morrison for an update on the case, which stems from a Jan. 16 altercation outside Main Street Pizza in Walnut Ridge. More information about sentencing is expected soon.
Rentz, of Walnut Ridge, was initially charged with second-degree murder, a Class A felony. At his initial court appearance, Judge Alex Bigger set bond at $500,000 cash only and ordered GPS monitoring.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Walnut Ridge Police Department Detective Aaron Moore, officers responded to a report of an unconscious man in the restaurant’s rear parking lot. Police said the call came at approximately 10:47 p.m.
The affidavit states that officers found several people near Fisher, including someone performing CPR. A department news release said Moore performed CPR with help from a good Samaritan.
The Walnut Ridge Fire Department and Medic One also responded. Fisher was transported to Lawrence Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Authorities said surveillance video captured at least part of the altercation. According to the affidavit, the video showed Rentz pushing Fisher to the ground and stomping on him at least once while he was down.
“As a result, Logan Rentz’s actions were the proximate cause of Shannon’s death,” Moore wrote in the affidavit.
Investigators interviewed Rentz on Jan. 17. According to the affidavit, he acknowledged his involvement in the altercation.
Those allegations were outlined in the original probable cause affidavit. Morrison confirmed that Rentz was ultimately acquitted of second-degree murder and found guilty of manslaughter.
Main Street Pizza announced it would close the day after the incident “out of respect for the family and loved ones affected by last night’s tragedy.”
During the investigation, police asked anyone who witnessed the incident or events leading up to it to contact investigators.
NEA Report will update this story with more information about sentencing as it becomes available.
Originally Published January 17:
WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. — Law enforcement sources confirm to NEA Report that a homicide investigation is underway after a man died from injuries sustained in a fight last night outside of Main Street Pizza in Walnut Ridge.
Walnut Ridge officers responded to Main Street Pizza on Friday night after a call about an unresponsive male, according to information from authorities. The unresponsive male was receiving CPR when officers arrived. He was transported to a hospital and later died, police said.
Witnesses said the injuries were the result of a fight. The suspect was reported to have started the fight with the deceased. The suspect was taken into custody.
UPDATE: Logan Ashler Rentz is being held on a second-degree murder charge and an aggravated assault charge, according to the Lawrence County inmate roster.
A Facebook post by Main Street Pizza announced they would be closed Saturday, “out of respect for the family and loved ones affected by last night’s tragedy…”
The original post is no longer visible.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Walnut Ridge Police Department
Press Release – Active InvestigationThe Walnut Ridge Police Department is investigating an incident that occurred on January 16, 2026, at approximately 10:47 p.m. Officers were dispatched in reference to an unresponsive male located in a parking lot following a reported physical altercation. The Walnut Ridge Police Department, Walnut Ridge Fire Department, and Medic 1 responded to the scene.
Upon arrival, Sergeant Aaron Moore located the unresponsive male in the rear parking lot of Main Street Pizza and immediately initiated CPR with the assistance of a good Samaritan. The unresponsive male was transported to Lawrence Memorial Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
A suspect is currently in custody. This investigation remains active and ongoing. Out of respect for all parties involved, as well as to preserve the integrity of the investigation, no names or additional details will be released at this time.
The Walnut Ridge Police Department will continue to investigate this incident and will provide updates as information becomes available and when appropriate, while maintaining respect for the victim’s family and the integrity of the case.
Anyone who was present at Main Street Pizza on January 16, 2026, prior to or during the incident, and who may have witnessed anything, regardless of how minor it may seem, is asked to contact Sergeant Aaron Moore via email at amoore@cityofwalnutridge.org.
Chief Jamie Ferrell
Walnut Ridge Police Department
Court records show Rentz previously pleaded guilty to battery against a law enforcement officer in 2020. He was sentenced to 36 months of probation in that case.
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Aggravated assault is BS. That’s murder 2nd degree. Anyway you look at it