A houseguest opened fire on another visitor inside an Arkansas home without warning, striking the victim multiple times and killing him, according to charging documents filed in Benton County Circuit Court.
Hunter Anderson, 21, of Missouri, is charged with capital murder, possession of firearms by certain persons, and a probation violation in connection with the death of 20-year-old Triton Michael King at a residence on Honey Creek Road in Sulphur Springs, Arkansas, authorities said. Morgan Young, also 19 and from Missouri, has been separately charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution for allegedly concealing evidence from the scene.
Background
The investigation began August 13 when Benton County Sheriff's deputies responded to reports of a shooting at the rural residence located just south of the Missouri-Arkansas border. Upon arrival, authorities found King "lying face up in the doorway of the residence" and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, according to affidavits of probable cause filed in support of the charges.
Four witnesses present at the scene identified Anderson "as the person who shot King," according to charging documents. Investigators recovered 13 spent shell casings and one live round from the living room area, the affidavit reads.
According to witness statements detailed in court records, King had been walking between the porch and a car approximately four times before the shooting occurred. At one point, Anderson left the house before returning inside and sitting on a bed, authorities allege.
"Before the shooting they were all at the address where the shooting occurred," another affidavit reads. "[The victim] was walking to the porch and back out to the car approximately four times."
The Investigation
According to the affidavit filed in Anderson's case, the defendant "leaned over and said something" to the wife of the homeowner before he "without warning fired multiple rounds" toward King, striking him several times. When questioned by investigators, the woman stated she could not hear what Anderson whispered due to background noise but recalled hearing the word "clip."
"So, she just acknowledged him," the charging document states.
Anderson allegedly fled after the shooting and was later arrested in Missouri, according to law enforcement. During separate interviews, witnesses told investigators that King mentioned "carrying a gun" but no one ever saw the victim with a weapon, authorities said.
After being taken into custody, Anderson led detectives to a pond where he disposed of the firearm used in the shooting, the affidavit says.
Young, who was arrested on August 14—one day before Anderson's arrest five days later—told investigators she did not see the entirety of the incident but "saw part of it," according to her charging document. The affidavit alleges that immediately after the shooting, Young noticed several spent shell casings on the floor near her feet, with one striking her.
"Despite not knowing why, she picked up several of the shell casings and placed them in a nearby trash can," the charging document reads. "Other witnesses present at the residence confirmed seeing Young pick up the spent shell casings and throw them in the trash can."
Natural State law enforcement alleges those shell casings were "potential evidence directly related to the shooting" and King's death.
"Young's actions removed this crucial evidence from the original scene, thereby interfering with the investigation," the charging document states. "Young knowingly concealed, removed, or otherwise interfered with evidence related to the investigation of Triton King's death, with the intent to hinder the apprehension, prosecution, or punishment of the person responsible for the crime."
Key Takeaways
- Anderson is charged with capital murder in connection with King's death and remains held on $500,000 bail
- Young faces a hindering charge for allegedly disposing of shell casings from the scene; she is held on $25,000 bail
- Four witnesses identified Anderson as the shooter, according to charging documents
- Authorities recovered 13 spent shell casings from the living room before Young allegedly removed some evidence
- Anderson was arrested in Missouri after fleeing Arkansas following the shooting
- Both defendants are detained at the Benton County Jail pending further proceedings
What's Next
Anderson is due back in court on September 8. Young's next scheduled appearance is set for September 21. The charges against both were filed on August 24. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges cannot be ruled out as prosecutors review evidence from the scene.
Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive for the shooting.