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.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.