On March 14th, 2020, officers from the Hot Springs Police Department responded to Hollywood Park following reports of gunshots around 11:30 pm. Upon arrival, they discovered the body of 20-year-old Joshua Severns, who was found deceased with his pockets turned inside out, missing his cell phone and wallet, indicating a possible robbery.A knife was found in his back pocket, and two spent .45 caliber casings were located near his body. Witnesses in the vicinity reported hearing a gunshot followed by shouting, followed by another gunshot several seconds later.
An autopsy conducted at the state crime lab confirmed that Severns had been shot twice, once in the chest and once in the head. Detective Sgt. Scott Lampinen, leading the investigation, interviewed two witnesses who had been with Severns earlier in the evening. They revealed that Severns had arranged to meet an unknown female through an online social media app to sell her approximately an ounce of marijuana and engage in an intimate encounter. Initially planning to meet at Hot Springs World Class High School, the location was changed by the female to her residence in the same area, though Severns did not disclose the exact address. He left his residence on Rector Street at 9:20 p.m., taking along the marijuana, his cell phone, and wallet.
As the investigation unfolded, witnesses mentioned an ongoing dispute involving Severns and his friends with a 17-year-old male named Payton Mann and his associates. Detectives interviewed everyone involved in the dispute, including Payton, on March 26, 2020. Initially claiming to have been at home with his girlfriend, Alyssa Andry, watching movies, both Payton and Andry were found to have provided false statements after warrants were issued for Joshua's social media accounts and Payton's cell phone data. Subsequently, a warrant was issued for Payton's arrest, leading to the following footage capturing his apprehension.
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