On August 8, 2024, at approximately 10:30 p.m. Izard County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Mike Smith was dispatched to an address off of Wideman Rd. in Oxford on a reported attempted break-in where one of the suspects had a shotgun.
Upon arrival, Sgt. Smith was told by the victims that Kiera Shepherd and Justin Murphy had approached them upon returning home. Murphy produced a shotgun and pointed at one of the victims while he was holding a juvenile. Murphy was accusing the victims of stealing from them (Murphy and Shepard) as well as raping Shepherd. Murphy tripped and dropped the shotgun and the victims turned to run inside the house. At this time, Shepherd hit one of the victims in the back with a golf club. The victims made it back into the house and locked the front door. The front door was kicked in and Murphy and Shepherd gained entry and Murphy made stated one of the victims was going to die. The victims had called 911 and the phone was on speaker. Murphy and Shepherd went outside and began to beat on the walls and windows. At this time, the victims made a run to their vehicle and left the residence. After taking the report, Sgt. Smith and other deputies tried to locate Murphy and Shepherd, but were unable to.
Arrest warrants from the Izard County Circuit Court were issued on August 9 charging Justin Murphy, 32 of Oxford, with three counts of aggravated assault, residential burglary, terroristic threatening, criminal mischief and endangering the welfare of a minor. Kiera Shepherd, 22 of Oxford, was charged with aggravated assault, residential burglary, terroristic threatening, criminal mischief and endangering the welfare of a minor.
On August 12, deputies were able to locate and arrest Murphy and Shepherd without incident.