NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Police say an airman assigned to Little Rock Air Force Base was killed while attempting to stop a North Little Rock convenience store robbery on Friday, March 15.
According to the North Little Rock Police Department, Senior Airman Shawn Mckeough Jr. was shopping inside Big Red on West Broadway Avenue when two armed suspects entered the store shortly after 11:30 p.m. and tried to rob it.
“A customer inside the store attempted to intervene in the robbery, which ended in gunshots being fired and that victim being struck and killed by the gunfire,” North Little Rock police Sgt. Amy Cooper said.
Mckeough served as an aerial delivery operations specialist for the 19th Logistics Readiness Squadron.
“We are heartbroken to have lost a valued member of our Team Little Rock family.” said Col. Gerald Donohue, 19 Airlift Wing commander. “Shawn’s death will be felt by each of us, and we are committed to supporting his loved ones and fellow Airmen during this very difficult time.”
Mckeough served three years overseas, according to his girlfriend, Sarah Terrano. The couple moved to North Little Rock in December.
"Shawn was one of a kind," Terrano said. "He lit up any room he walked into with his jokes, contagious smile and wittiness. He was so brave. He told me over and over he would never let anyone hurt me."
With the suspects still at large, North Little Rock police continue their investigation and are offering a $10,000 dollar reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of those responsible for Mckeough’s death.
"There's not enough words to truly express how amazing he was,” Terrano said.
Investigators ask anyone with information about the case to call the NLRPD 24-hour tip line at 501-680-8439. Tips can remain anonymous.