An inmate who officials say escaped from the St. Francis County jail Monday was captured two days later, according to the Forrest City Police Department.
Christopher Davenport, 38, was found Wednesday in the attic of an abandoned house, according to a post on the agency’s Facebook page. Officials said Davenport has been turned over to the U.S. Marshals Service and the Arkansas State Police.
Jail staff realized Davenport was missing during a routine inmate headcount around 7 p.m. Monday, according to a media release. Davenport was reportedly a trusty inmate, meaning he had been selected for additional work privileges.
Davenport had been held in the jail since Sept. 19, following his arrest by Forrest City police, state police and U.S. marshals. He was arrested in connection with the shooting of Nautica Gardner in the leg at Star One Food Mart in Forrest City on Sept. 1.
According to a September news release from Forrest City police, officers arresting Davenport on the shooting charge found him hiding under a bed at the residence where he was paroled — 408 D Ave., about 3 miles south of the Interstate 40 interchange with Arkansas 18.
At the time of the reported escape, Davenport was awaiting trial on multiple felony charges, according to the state police news release. Those charges include first-degree battery, two counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, and weapons charges.
The release states that Davenport faces additional charges after his arrest by marshals on Wednesday, although it doesn’t list those counts.
Daniel McFadin
Daniel McFadin is a general assignment reporter who has been with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette since October 2022. He previously worked at NBC Sports, and has also been a writer covering NASCAR for Frontstretch — which is not affiliated with the Democrat-Gazette — since 2014. Daniel also has and continues to be involved in podcasting at the newspaper.
