Crime
Moment Former Teacher Andrew James McGann Arrested Mid-Haircut at Lupita’s Body Salon in Springdale
LOWELL, Ark. — Arkansas State Police have arrested 28-year-old James Andrew McGann in connection with the brutal double homicide of Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, who were attacked while hiking with their two young daughters at Devil’s Den State Park on July 26, 2025.
McGann, a former elementary school teacher, was taken into custody at 4:57 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30, while receiving a haircut at Lupita’s Body Salon in Springdale.
Surveillance footage captured the moment officers entered the salon and arrested him. According to police, McGann confessed to the killings following his arrest.
He is now charged with two counts of Capital Murder and is being held at the Washington County Detention Center.
His first court appearance is scheduled for August 1.
Authorities say the attack began when Clinton Brink was assaulted on the trail. Cristen Brink reportedly rushed their two daughters, ages 7 and 9, to the family’s car for safety before returning to assist her husband.
She was then fatally stabbed.
The children were unharmed and are now in the care of relatives.
During a press briefing, Arkansas State Police confirmed McGann’s DNA matched evidence collected at the scene.
Investigators said witness descriptions—particularly from the Brink daughters—as well as tips from the public, including reports regarding McGann’s vehicle, played a significant role in identifying the suspect.
The woman cutting McGann’s hair at the time of the arrest, Adriana Ruiz Avalos, later posted her account on social media, stating:
“I was in the middle of cutting his hair when detectives came in. I was shaking… I asked if this was about the Devil’s Den incident, and it looks like it was. They even collected the chair he was sitting on.”
McGann, originally from Sand Springs, Oklahoma, had recently moved to Arkansas.
He previously taught 4th grade at Donald Elementary in Lewisville, Texas, where multiple complaints were reportedly made about inappropriate behavior toward young female students.
According to social media reports, McGann was allowed to quietly resign from the Texas school district without disciplinary action and soon after secured a new teaching job at Bayyari Elementary School in Springdale under the name “Drew McGann.”
Just weeks before the murders, Bayyari Elementary introduced McGann on its social media page:
“Hello! My name is Drew McGann. I am thrilled to be part of the Bayyari team this year as a 3rd grade teacher!”
That post has since drawn scrutiny as details emerge about his previous employment history and the absence of formal disciplinary records that may have prevented background red flags from surfacing.
McGann’s prior employment also included substitute teaching roles in Tulsa County, Oklahoma, and student teaching in Broken Arrow Public Schools.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Oklahoma State University.
The investigation into the motivations and circumstances surrounding the murders is ongoing.
Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that the parents may have been killed while trying to protect their daughters from a targeted threat.
The Brinks are survived by their three daughters.
The community continues to mourn their loss, while calls grow louder for greater accountability in vetting educators across state lines.
Crime
Jerome DeWayne Hughes, 35, Fatally Shot During Bonfire Gathering in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
A gathering among friends turned into a devastating tragedy Sunday night when 35-year-old Jerome DeWayne Hughes was fatally shot during a bonfire gathering in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. His death has left family members, friends, and others who were present mourning a sudden and heartbreaking loss.
Authorities have arrested a 23-year-old man in connection with the fatal shooting. The suspect, identified as Derrick Lamont Edwards Jr., is facing a murder charge as investigators continue working to establish what led to the deadly confrontation.
According to the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched at approximately 10:20 p.m. Sunday to the 4300 block of Culver Road, west of Tuscaloosa, following reports of a shooting.
Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit Captain Jack Kennedy said the shooting occurred during a social gathering around a bonfire. What had begun as an evening spent with friends ended in violence, prompting an emergency response and a homicide investigation.
Hughes had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to DCH Regional Medical Center for emergency treatment, but despite medical efforts, he was pronounced dead.
His death has left loved ones grieving a life lost during what was supposed to be an ordinary gathering among friends.
Following interviews with witnesses and an examination of the crime scene, investigators obtained a murder warrant for 23-year-old Derrick Lamont Edwards Jr.
Authorities reported that Edwards was taken into custody within a few hours of the shooting through coordinated efforts involving the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit and the U.S. Marshals Service.
He has been charged with murder and is being held without bond, according to the information provided.
The charge is an allegation, and the case will proceed through the criminal justice system. Edwards is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Although investigators have made an arrest, important questions about the shooting remain unanswered.
Authorities have not publicly explained what led to the confrontation, whether there was an argument before the gunfire, or what may have motivated the alleged attack.
Detectives continue gathering information and reviewing evidence as they work to establish the full sequence of events.
Anyone with information that could assist investigators is encouraged to contact Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit detectives at 205-464-8690.
At 35 years old, Jerome DeWayne Hughes had a life and future that mattered to the people who knew and loved him. His sudden death has left family members and friends facing the painful reality of losing someone close to them.
The gathering on Culver Road was supposed to be an opportunity for people to spend time together. Instead, it became the setting of a fatal incident that has deeply affected those connected to the tragedy.
For Jerome’s loved ones, the days ahead will bring grief, difficult questions, and memories of a man whose life ended far too soon.
As the investigation continues, thoughts and condolences remain with the family and friends of Jerome DeWayne Hughes, as well as everyone affected by the shooting.
May Jerome be remembered with love and compassion, and may his family find strength and comfort during this heartbreaking time.