Two Men Are Dead Following Dispute Over Cleanest Car

HELENA-WEST HELENA, Ark. – A shooting early Sunday in the downtown area left two men dead and sent a third to a hospital, police said.

The shooting occurred at about 2 a.m. Sunday.

The men slain were identified as Allen "Smokie" Hawkins, 28, of Helena-West Helena; and Jessie Harris, 17, of Little Rock.

Police said both Harris and Hawkins suffered several wounds, but were still alive when officers and emergency medical personnel arrives at the scene. They were taken to Helena Regional Medical Center, where both died a short time after arriving.

Both men's bodies were sent to the state Crime Lab in Little Rock for an autopsy.

Ted Otey, 23, also of Helena-West Helena, was also taken to the local hospital, where he was treated and released.

Helena Police Department Detective Roy Covington said police were told that two men who weren't involved in the shooting had disputed whose car was the cleanest and sharpest, and a fight broke out. During the fight, several gunshots were fired, Covington said.