JONESBORO, Ark. — A Craighead County judge has set a $5 million bond for a Jonesboro man accused of playing a key role in a deadly Christmas Eve shooting that left a 58-year-old man dead.
Craighead County District Judge David Boling found probable cause to charge Mario Jashon Stafford with first-degree murder and aggravated residential burglary, both Class Y felonies under Arkansas law.
According to the Jonesboro Police Department, Stafford was arrested in connection with the December 24 shooting death of Michael Tatum at a residence on the 300 block of State Street.
A probable cause affidavit states that Tatum’s roommate was entering the apartment when an unknown suspect forced the door open, pushed her aside, and pointed a handgun toward Tatum before firing a single shot.
Investigators said witness interviews and surveillance footage placed Stafford at the scene shortly before the shooting. Police determined Stafford parked his blue Chevrolet Malibu in front of the residence at approximately 2:55 a.m. Real Time Intelligence Center footage later showed the vehicle leaving the area at 3:02 a.m.
Surveillance video captured the Malibu stopping at Cedar Heights Drive and Melrose Street, where a second individual was observed inside the vehicle. The car later pulled into a nearby parking lot before leaving again.
Footage also showed an individual exiting the area, using a cellphone, and walking through a passage between buildings shortly before the shooting occurred. Police said Stafford later transported the victim’s roommate to another location before returning her to the apartment complex.
According to the affidavit, witness statements indicate that shortly after her return, the suspect approached the apartment, reached through the doorway, and fired the fatal shot. Surveillance video then showed Stafford’s vehicle leaving the area, while another suspect fled on foot.
Police said the timeline and video evidence indicate Stafford had prior knowledge of the crime and actively assisted in transporting and positioning the shooter.
Responding officer Greg Trout reported finding Tatum lying on the ground around 3:20 a.m., suffering from gunshot wounds to the abdomen and shoulder. Despite lifesaving efforts by police and paramedics, Tatum was pronounced dead at a local hospital at 4:12 a.m.
Court records show this is the second time Stafford has been arrested in connection with a murder. In 2015, he was charged in a home invasion homicide, though the charge was later dropped after witnesses were unable to identify the suspects.
The current case remains pending, and Stafford is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
