April 24, 2025
Jarrett W. Cousins, 40, of Bradford, has been formally charged with First-Degree Murder in the December 2024 death of Clara Blaxton, 45, of Independence County. Blaxton’s body was discovered in Cousins’ vehicle after a confrontation with police in Festus, Missouri, on December 8, 2024.
The incident occurred around 11 a.m. at a White Castle restaurant in Festus, where local police responded to reports of an active shooter. Cousins, identified as the suspected shooter, had fled the scene and was stopped by law enforcement. He exited his vehicle and opened fire on the officers, who returned fire and struck him.
Upon searching his vehicle, officers found Blaxton deceased in the front passenger seat. The Jefferson County (Missouri) Sheriff’s Department requested assistance from the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division (CID) to investigate her death.
CID Special Agents determined that Cousins had killed Blaxton in Arkansas. A Missouri medical examiner estimated that Blaxton had been dead for 24 to 48 hours prior to the shooting incident.
Cousins’ bond has been set at $1 million. Cousins was extradited from Missouri and is in custody at Ouachita River Correctional Unit in Malvern.