North Little Rock Police Arrest Mother in Connection with Shooting Death of 4-Year-Old
On August 9, a tragic incident occurred in North Little Rock when a 4-year-old girl was fatally shot. The event unfolded around 8:27 am at a home on Water Street. Authorities responded promptly to the shooting call and found the young girl suffering from a gunshot wound. She was transported to a local hospital but unfortunately succumbed to her injuries shortly after arrival.
The North Little Rock Police Department took immediate action, launching an active investigation into the case. They requested information from the public and encouraged those with knowledge to contact the police department’s tip line or Detective William Williams directly.
The police investigation led to a significant breakthrough when they arrested the mother, 25-year-old Beth McMan, on August 28. McMan is facing charges of manslaughter and child endangerment following the fatal incident involving her child.
According to an arrest affidavit, on the morning of August 9, McMan was awakened by the sound of a gunshot and found her 4-year-old daughter with a head wound. Her 2-year-old son was near the scene with her handgun, suggesting that he might have accidentally shot the older child. Further investigation revealed that McMan had left her loaded handgun, a 9mm, in her purse under the nightstand, making it accessible to her children.
The investigation also uncovered that McMan had been using methamphetamine the night before and regularly consumed marijuana. These factors likely contributed to her negligence in securing her firearm, leading to this unintended and devastating consequence.
The incident highlights the dangers of unsecured firearms and the importance of ensuring their safe storage. This case serves as a stark reminder of the need for proper firearm safety measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
