By Ray King
A Pine Bluff man identified as a suspect in the shooting death of another man Friday will be held without bond pending the filing of formal charges.
Following a court hearing Wednesday, Jefferson County District Judge Kim Bridgforth ruled prosecutors have probable cause to charge Michael King, 37, with capital murder and first-degree battery.
Deputy Prosecutor Ty Spradlin said police were sent to South Spruce Street where they found the victim, later identified as Markee Avey, 36, on the ground with a gunshot wound to the chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Later in the day they learned that a second victim had also been shot and in Detective Ryan Edwards reported that he interviewed that victim.
A witness told police they saw King begin shooting at the victim when he got out of an automobile.
In addition to the current allegations, the Department of Community Corrections has placed a parole hold on King for violating conditions of his parole.
King was ordered to have no contact with the surviving victim and told to come back to court Aug. 20.
Police are also looking for King’s brother, LaMarcus Benton, 39, in connection with the investigation.
