Arkansas Cold Case: Pulaski County Teen Shot To Death

It's a story with a victim, a crime scene, and incriminating evidence. They're all pieces to the puzzle of a solvable murder. Its one investigators thought wouldn't be difficult.

Sgt. Mike Blain explains, "It appears [the suspect] going over there strictly to commit this homicide."

But 11 years later, there's no suspect. David Woods' killer remains a mystery.

"Nineteen years old you know basically just starting his life," says Blain.

The teen went to North Pulaski High School. He lived with his family on James Cut Off Road with his family. But on Feb. 16, 1998, Woods was alone.

Sgt. Blain says he'd just returned. His keys were still in the dead bolt. He was completely defenseless for a face to face encounter with violence.

He says, "The victim was shot as he was going into the house as if inviting someone in. You're 19 years old. What do you have to get killed over?"

The suspect was gone in a hurry. Tire tracks were left behind. Detectives say there's no question he was targeted.

Woods had called a friend to come over minutes before.

"As he opened the door he found David on the floor."

Deputies say his killer was one who knew when he'd come and go, knew he'd be alone and knew they wanted him dead.

Neighbor Naomi Wilson told Today's THV back in 1998, "I hadn't heard a car come or go or anything."

Wilson was questioned by deputies that brisk winter day. But she like others in the neighborhood couldn't be much help.

If you return today, you'll see the mobile home has been torn down. You won't find many who still live there.

"Time is a factor and sometimes people's remembrance or even their life experiences have drawn us closer to solving these cases and will give us detail they didn't give us before,"
says Sgt. Blain.

Head of the cold case division at the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office, Sgt. Blain and his team are in the process of re-investigating Woods' murder.

"There are several persons of interest in this case that deputies continue to look at. As for evidence, they say a bullet found at the scene may be just what they need to break this case open.

"Arkansas State Crime Lab has what is called Operation Shutdown, so any gun that is recovered gets test fired and then compared to bullets, fragments and shell casings on previous cases that have been submitted. So by chance we may uncover the murder weapon," explains Blain.  

It's a clue that could potentially lead to a suspect and bring closure to a family who's lost their son.

He's David Woods, a teenager many loved, but a man they'll never get to know.

If you know anything about this homicide you are asked to call the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office at 501-340-8477. You can leave information without giving your name. A reward is available in this case.

Wood's death is one of three unsolved murders in Pulaski County in 1998. There are a total of 24 unsolved murders that the department is investigating. The oldest happened in 1987.

If you know of a cold case that you would like us to look into, e-mail us at news@todaysthv.com. Our segment airs every Wednesday night on the "THV 10:00 Difference."