Arkansas State Police are investigating a shooting in Cotton Plant that left 2 people injured Monday, August 31, 2026.
The Woodruff County Sheriff’s Office and Cotton Plant Police Department requested assistance from the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division following the shooting.
When officers arrived at a home on Conley Drive, they found 19-year-old Elana Martin of Little Rock at the front door suffering from a gunshot wound to her thigh.
Martin was transported by ambulance to Unity Health in Searcy for treatment.
2ND SHOOTING VICTIM FOUND AT SEPARATE HOME
Authorities also located 20-year-old Zephaniah Wheeler of Horn Lake, Mississippi, at the front door of a separate residence on Conley Drive.
Wheeler had suffered gunshot wounds to his chest and arm.
He was airlifted to UAMS Medical Center in Little Rock, where authorities said he was listed in stable condition following surgery.
INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE BOTH WERE INJURED IN SAME INCIDENT
Arkansas State Police investigators believe Wheeler and Martin were injured during the same incident.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Authorities have not released additional information about what led to the shooting, whether any suspects have been identified, or whether any arrests have been made.
No further information was available for release at this time.
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KEY FACTS AT A GLANCE
LOCATION:
Conley Drive
Cotton Plant, Arkansas
DATE:
August 31, 2026
AGENCIES:
Woodruff County Sheriff’s Office
Cotton Plant Police Department
Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division
INJURED:
Elana Martin, 19, Little Rock, Arkansas
Gunshot wound to thigh
Transported to Unity Health in Searcy
Zephaniah Wheeler, 20, Horn Lake, Mississippi
Gunshot wounds to chest and arm
Airlifted to UAMS Medical Center in Little Rock
Listed in stable condition following surgery
STATUS:
Investigation active and ongoing
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