Suspect Arrested After Jonesboro Stabbing During Card Game Altercation

JONESBORO, Ark. — A suspect has been arrested following a stabbing that occurred during an altercation while several people were playing cards at a residence in Jonesboro.

Reginald Kenyell Stapleton, 39, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree battery, a Class D felony. Bail was set at $50,000, and Stapleton has since been released from custody. He is scheduled to return to court on April 23.

According to the Jonesboro Police Department, officers responded Feb. 18, 2026, to a stabbing near the 4500 block of Nettletown Avenue. Officers made contact with the complainant and witnesses at the scene, who reported that an altercation occurred while people were playing cards and that two individuals went outside. One of those individuals was identified as Stapleton.

Police said the alleged victim later returned inside after being stabbed, and officers were called to the scene.

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Officers later spoke with the alleged victim at the hospital. The alleged victim said they had been playing cards when Stapleton began an argument with them. Witnesses attempted to separate the two, and Stapleton said he was going outside to get his shoes.

According to the report, Stapleton later returned to the door and began yelling at the victim to come outside. The victim went outside, and the two began fighting. The victim told police that after throwing Stapleton to the ground, they noticed Stapleton had a knife in his right hand.

The victim said they ran back inside and told others Stapleton was trying to stab them. Police said the victim had already been stabbed in the chest above the heart and had blood on his shirt. The victim said they did not realize they had been stabbed until later and only saw the knife when Stapleton was on the ground.

On Feb. 19, 2026, Stapleton came to the police department for an interview. After being advised of his Miranda rights, Stapleton agreed to speak with officers without a lawyer present.

Police said Stapleton made statements similar to those given by the victim and witnesses but claimed the victim had the knife.

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

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