On December 7, 2025, Helena‑West Helena police were dispatched to 138 South Baringo Street after reports of a shooting. Inside the residence, officers found 29‑year‑old Jalexus Carter critically wounded by multiple gunshots. Authorities have described the event as a domestic matter confined to the household, underscoring its isolated nature.
Emergency Efforts and Arrest First responders—including Pafford EMS and the Helena‑West Helena Fire Department—worked urgently to stabilize Carter before she was transported to Helena Regional Medical Center, where she passed away later that day.
The incident, which unfolded near Ladino Street and West Celburne Avenue, triggered an immediate search. A male suspect was quickly apprehended and is now held at Phillips County Jail facing charges of first‑degree murder.
Career and Community Service Carter spent her life in Helena‑West Helena, where she combined professional dedication with academic ambition. She worked as a home health aide, caring for elderly clients through a local agency, while simultaneously pursuing an associate degree in nursing at Phillips Community College.
Family Life As a mother of two young daughters, Carter built her household around traditions that celebrated faith and heritage. Sunday gospel brunches and annual fishing trips to the Mississippi River became cherished rituals, reinforcing bonds and encouraging her children’s educational aspirations. Her parents—retired educators from the local school district—instilled in her the principles of empathy and lifelong learning, which shaped both her career and her relationships within the community.
Personal Interests Carter’s daily rhythm blended discipline with joy. She began mornings with yoga along the riverfront and ended evenings at book club gatherings focused on African American literature. Quilting heirlooms and tending her backyard herb garden were creative outlets she shared through handmade gifts at church events, reflecting her commitment to nurturing both family and community ties.
Ongoing Investigation Detectives continue to examine evidence, including shell casings recovered at the scene, to reconstruct the events leading to Carter’s death. Authorities have asked residents to provide anonymous tips to strengthen the case against the suspect, whose arraignment is pending in Phillips County Circuit Court.
Community Mourning The city of Helena‑West Helena has expressed deep sympathy to Carter’s family. Her passing leaves a profound void, and her legacy of compassion, caregiving, and quiet strength will be remembered by all who knew her.
