Man murdered, suspect on loose

A Blytheville man is dead and police are looking for the man suspected of pulling the trigger.

Raymond Smith, 21, was fatally shot Tuesday at 16th and Carolyn, and police are looking for 20-year-old Treyon Peel in connection with the crime.

According to BPD Capt. Scott Adams, at approximately 5:15 p.m., the Blytheville Police Department learned of a person initially thought shot at 16th Street and West Rose. When officers arrived, they found a tan Jeep in the vacant lot which appeared to been involved in an accident.

"Officers located the victim, 21-year-old Raymond Smith, in the driver's seat, leaning into the passenger's seat with an apparent gunshot wound to the chest," Adams said. "The victim was pulled from the vehicle and given CPR until Pafford Ambulance arrived. Smith was taken to Great River Medical center where he later died from his injuries."

While on scene, several witnesses came forward and told officers the shooting actually took place at 16th Street and Carolyn. Adams said the victim drove away from the scene, where the vehicle clipped a power pole and came to a rest in the lot. According to police, witnesses said Peel was the shooter and fled the scene.

Officers are now searching for Peel and ask anyone with knowledge of Peel's location to contact the Blytheville Police Department at 870-763-4411 or call 911. Peel should be considered armed and dangerous.

mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com