Jury Convicts Bryant Man in Capital Murder of 7-Year-Old at Little Rock Zoo

Justice Finally Delivered After Years of Delays

Pulaski County jurors who saw the bullet wound that killed 7-year-old Chloe Alexander, heard the 14-round fusillade of rifle rounds that took her life, listened to her aunt's wails of terror and witnessed the Pine Bluff girl's near-lifeless body being carried into a Little Rock emergency room found her accused killer guilty as charged Friday. After years of legal delays and a previous mistrial, Kenjata Daniels Jr has been found guilty of capital murder after opening fire at the Little Rock Zoo, killing seven-year-old Chloe Alexander .

The conviction on June 12 brings closure to a case that has haunted Arkansas families since Memorial Day weekend 2022. In May 2022, Chloe Alexander was killed near the Little Rock Zoo. What should have been a joyful family outing turned into an unthinkable tragedy when Daniels was charged with capital murder, fleeing, and nine counts of terroristic act.

Chloe's mother, Joydashia Love, told 5NEWS' sister station THV11 shortly after the shooting that she and her daughter were best friends, and she never fathomed she would only get seven years with her baby. "She was very outgoing, smart, intelligent, and beautiful," Love said. The loss of such a young life sent shockwaves through the community and raised serious questions about public safety at family venues.

Legal Battle Marked by Setbacks and Frustration

The path to justice proved frustratingly long for Chloe's family. He pleaded not guilty to the charges on Aug. 11, 2022, and was set to go to trial in January 2023. That trial date went on to be pushed back around seven times. The constant delays became so problematic that even the defendant complained about the system's inefficiency.

"Out of all the years this case has been open it hasn't been tried in trial once. Every court date the prosecution hasn't been ready," Daniels said in a letter to the judge from June 2025. "This is a very old case. This process has put a pause on my life." However, according to court records, the defense had requested at least half of the delays.

The case faced another significant setback when a mistrial was granted, the jury thanked and dismissed, and a new trial was scheduled for Feb. 10, 2026. This occurred after the last-minute discovery of a police file related to the case, materials that had not been previously disclosed.

Community Impact and Ongoing Concerns

The shooting at one of Arkansas's most beloved family destinations highlighted vulnerabilities in public safety measures at recreational facilities. The incident occurred during one of the busiest weekends of the year, when families traditionally visit the zoo to kick off summer activities. The randomness of the violence particularly shook parents who regularly take their children to similar venues across the state.

Law enforcement agencies have since reviewed security protocols at major public attractions, though specific changes have not been widely publicized. The case also sparked discussions about mental health resources and intervention programs, as communities grapple with preventing such senseless acts of violence.

A Family's Long Wait for Justice Ends

With the guilty verdict now secured, the focus shifts to sentencing and providing some measure of peace to Chloe's grieving family. The capital murder conviction carries the possibility of life imprisonment or the death penalty, decisions that will be made in subsequent proceedings. For a mother who lost her "best friend" at just seven years old, no sentence can truly restore what was taken.

The conviction also serves as a reminder of the resilience of Arkansas's judicial system, despite the frustrating delays that nearly derailed the case. As communities continue to process this tragedy, Chloe Alexander's memory lives on as a symbol of innocence lost and the ongoing fight for justice in cases involving the most vulnerable victims.