UPDATE: 2nd Degree Murger charge file; victim identified

HOPE – On January 8, 2026, at approximately 4:30 am, officers of the Hope Police Department responded to a report of shots fired at a person in the 600 block of North Cedar Street in Hope.

Officers arrived on scene, entered a residence, and located a male victim lying on the floor within the residence with an apparent gunshot wound. EMS arrived on scene and confirmed that the victim was deceased.

The victim in this case has been identified as Dashawn L. Compton, 26 of Washington, AR. The suspect, Jacolby C. Martin, 28 of Hope has been arrested and charged with Murder 2nd Degree. The case remains under investigation and when complete, a file will be sent to the 8th North Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for review.