In the early hours of a January morning in Hot Springs, Arkansas, 21-year-old Nicholas Ray Rodriguez was found at a residence on 1215 Hobson Street with gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. A patrolling officer had earlier heard two shots near North Patterson and Baxter streets and stopped a silver Jeep Cherokee that sped away; the driver fled and three passengers remained in the vehicle.

Police tracked the fleeing driver to an area behind Albert Pike Tire at 100 Albert Pike, where 27-year-old Matthew Lashawn Babb of Mountain Pine was located hiding under a vehicle. Two handguns were recovered nearby in a dumpster. After interviews and investigation, Babb was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection with Rodriguez’s death. Investigators have said they believe the shooting was drug-related.

If anyone knew Nicholas, saw activity near Hobson Street that night, or has information about the Jeep or the recovered firearms, please come forward.