HOPE, Ark. — On January 8, 2026, a deadly early-morning shooting in Hope has left Dashawn L. Compton, 26, of Washington, Arkansas, dead and resulted in the arrest of Jacolby C. Martin, 28, of Hope, Arkansas, according to the Hope Police Department. Martin has been taken into custody and charged with Second-Degree Murder in connection with the fatal incident.
Police said that at approximately 4:30 a.m., officers with the Hope Police Department responded to a report of shots fired at a person in the 600 block of North Cedar Street. Upon arrival, officers entered a residence at the location and discovered a male victim lying on the ground inside the home with an apparent gunshot wound.
Emergency Medical Services were immediately dispatched to the scene. Despite life-saving efforts, EMS personnel confirmed that the victim had succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. At the time of the initial response, authorities withheld the victim’s identity to allow proper notification of family members.
As the investigation progressed, police identified the victim as Dashawn L. Compton, a 26-year-old man from Washington, Arkansas. Further investigative work led to the arrest of Jacolby C. Martin, who was identified as a suspect in the case and later charged with Murder in the Second Degree.
Investigators confirmed that one person of interest was taken into custody during the early stages of the investigation, and that individual was later formally charged. Police have not yet released additional details regarding the circumstances that led up to the shooting, including a possible motive, as detectives continue to gather evidence and conduct interviews.
Authorities stated that the case remains active and ongoing. Once the investigation is complete, a full case file will be submitted to the 8th North Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for review and any further legal action deemed appropriate.
The shooting has sent shockwaves through the Hope community, as residents grapple with another loss of life to gun violence. Friends and loved ones of Dashawn Compton are now left mourning a life cut short, while law enforcement continues working to ensure accountability and clarity in the case.
Police have not indicated whether additional arrests are expected, but they emphasized that the investigation is continuing and that more information will be released as it becomes available.
A photo of the suspect, Jacolby C. Martin, has been released by authorities in connection with this case.
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