Crime
LRSD employee Michelle Butler killed after shooting outside Rockefeller Early Childhood Center in Little Rock
Police arrested 29-year-old Duane Nooner later that evening.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Authorities have identified the victim and suspect in a deadly shooting that occurred Wednesday afternoon outside the Rockefeller Early Childhood Center in Little Rock.
According to the Little Rock Police Department, 36-year-old Michelle Butler, an employee of the Little Rock School District, was shot and killed in a parking lot near the school.
Police arrested 29-year-old Duane Nooner later that evening.
He is now facing a charge of capital murder in connection with Butler’s death.
The arrest was made by Officer Hayes Jalise, also known as Jal Ise, and police have confirmed that Nooner was taken into custody without incident.
Authorities said the shooting appears to have stemmed from a domestic situation and that there is no ongoing threat to the community.
In a statement, the Little Rock School District (LRSD) expressed heartbreak over the loss of one of its employees and emphasized the steps taken to ensure the safety of students during the incident.
“The Little Rock School District is heartbroken to share that a tragic domestic incident occurred outside, near Rockefeller Early Childhood Center, this afternoon. This was an isolated incident, and a suspect is now in custody,” the district said.
The district confirmed that no students were directly involved or harmed. Staff members quickly implemented emergency safety measures by activating Centegix CrisisAlert badges, which placed the school on lockdown and ensured students were protected.
Parents were promptly contacted and safely escorted into the building to pick up their children.
District officials acknowledged the emotional toll on staff members who witnessed the event and confirmed that counselors and social workers have been deployed to support students, staff, and families.
“Although no students were involved, we are aware that this event has had a profound impact on our entire school community, particularly on the staff members who witnessed the incident,” the statement continued. “We ask our community to keep the Rockefeller ECC family in their thoughts and prayers. LRSD will provide additional information as it becomes available.”
The investigation remains ongoing.
City of Hammond, Louisiana — At approximately 11:50 p.m. on February 24, 2026, officers with the Hammond Police Department responded to a report of shots fired involving one possible victim.
Upon arrival, officers located a 14-year-old juvenile female, identified as Tyronai Reed, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.
Emergency medical assistance was rendered at the scene, and she was transported to North Oaks Health System for treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Reed later succumbed to her injuries.
Detectives assigned to the department’s Criminal Investigations Division launched an immediate homicide investigation.
During the course of their investigation, authorities identified 18-year-old Demontez Treyvon “Trey” Robinson of Hammond as a suspect in the shooting.
While actively working the case, officers observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and conducted a traffic stop.
Robinson was identified as the driver of the vehicle and was taken into custody without incident.
Robinson was transported to the Criminal Investigations Division for questioning. According to investigators, Robinson admitted that the firearm discharged while he was handling or “playing with” it, resulting in the single round striking the 14-year-old victim.
Robinson was subsequently booked into the Hammond City Jail on one count of Negligent Homicide.
Authorities emphasize that the investigation remains in its early stages and additional details may be released as they become available.
Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Corey Morse with the Hammond Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 985-277-5758 or via email at morse_cm@hammond.org. Tips may also be submitted through the department’s official Facebook page or anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa at 1-800-554-5245.
Individuals providing information may be eligible for a cash reward. Authorities urge members of the community to assist in the ongoing investigation.