Monticello Live

A candlelight vigil was held Wednesday night at UAM’s Weevil Pond for Katlin Lidge.  Katlin was a member of the Kappa Eta chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. fraternity, and was planning to graduate in May.

Approximately 150 friends, fellow students, and other people that were a part of Katlin’s life attended the event, which included prayer, fond memories of Katlin, and a reminder that each individual should examine their own relationship with the Lord, since “God takes us when he feels the time is right, not when we feel the time is right.” 

Funeral services for Katlin Lidge, age 25, are scheduled to be held at Revival Center, located at East Jackson and Pine Streets, Saturday at 1 pm, with viewing at noon.

Katlin’s obituary is posted here.

A close friend  shares this tribute to Katlin:

Katlin Lidge, 25, of Monticello, died Saturday evening as the result of gunshot wounds sustained in a domestic dispute, but the activities of Saturday Night only explain the last seconds of Katlin’s life.  They do little to explain the other 25 years and who Katlin was.

Katlin was not born in Monticello and he did not grow up in a traditional home.  He spent much of his formative years living at the Baptist Home and then lived with a friend’s family until graduation.  Drew County was truly lucky that Katlin chose to make Monticello his adopted home.  Katlin was the type of young man you couldn’t just meet and forget.  He was far too unforgettable.  He had an endearing smile and a laid-back way about him that made him easy to like, a pleasure to be around.  

Katlin was a good student and a polite young man.  He may be best remembered by those in the community for his football playing.  He was indeed one of the best linebackers Monticello has ever seen.  It was not uncommon on a Friday Night to hear Katlin’s name announced a dozen or more times in a game.  And, even at away games where it is often hard to get recognized, Katlin’s name would fill the air every quarter.  With a name like Katlin, the announcers were sure to say it wrong most of the time, but Katlin never seemed to mind.  When asked about it, Katlin replied “Oh no ma’am (and it was always ma’am), “I’m just glad I’m doing something to get my name said.

Katlin graduated from High School in 2004 and went on to play football at UAM on a football scholarship.  After a while, Katlin decided to leave football and get a job.  He continued at UAM with a few breaks, but he was scheduled to graduate in less than two months. For those who had the benefit of knowing Katlin most of his life, it was a great accomplishment.

Katlin leaves behind a large family, those who were related to him by blood and those of us who chose to call him “brother”…”son”. If Katlin were here he would tell you all “thanks”, one more time, for your love, friendship and support.  Because Katlin never failed to say “Thanks”.

On a personal note, if I may.  I will miss seeing Katlin graduate in May.  I will miss him sitting with me at a Billie football game and watching the new “crop” of Billies grow.  We can try to make sense of what can only be described as senseless.  But, Katlin taught us some valuable lessons during his short life.  Katlin knew from personal experience that life was not always fair or equal or even.  He could have been angry or vengeful or sullen but, he was not.  Katlin would have done much for the world and now you and I must do what Katlin would have done.  It will not be easy.  It was not always easy for Katlin.

But, I hope that Katlin will be as proud of us, as I was of him.

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Murder Victim Identified – Wanted Poster Released for Murder Suspect in Saturday Night Shooting Death
Posted March 7, 2011

The 10th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s office has released this  WANTED poster, in the investigation into the shooting death of a 25 year old Monticello man, Saturday night.

The murder victim’s name, Katlin Lidge, was released to the public this morning.

Police are searching for NICHOLAS JAMAL NIX, age 19, who was last known to live on Larkin Street, here in Monticello.

Nix  is 6’01”, with an estimated weight of around 165 pounds.

There is an active felony warrant issued for his arrest, charging him with First Degree Murder.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact the Monticello Police Department at 870-367-3411.

According to cout documents, Saturday night, at approximately 11:50 p.m., the Monticello Police Department received a 911 call of a shooting at Pilgrim’s Rest Apartments. Officers arrived and found 25 year old Katlin Lidge lying in the doorway of the apartment, with a gunshot wound to his chest. Lidge later died at the hospital from his wounds.

During a search of the apartment, officers found blood in several rooms and bullet holes in the walls. A .22 caliber pistol was also found during the search. Evidence at the scene was consistent with the story witnesses gave during interviews.

One witness told officers that Nix was upset over the constant fighting between his sister and Lidge. That same witness also saw the handle to a gun sticking out of Nix’s pants that night. Later that night, the witness heard Lidge, his girlfiend, and Nix in a bedroom arguing. There were several gunshots, and a black male matching Nix’s description was seen leaving the apartment through an open window.

Another witness was Lidge’s girlfriend. She saw Nix in possession of a pistol earlier in the night along with a box of bullets. She told officers that she was in the bedroom with Lidge and they were arguing. Nix came in and he and Lidge started arguing and scuffling. She saw Nix holding a pistol, and shooting several times. He then handed the pistol to her, and she hid the gun, while Nix ran out of the room.

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25 Year Old Dies, Following Late Night Shooting, Saturday
Posted March 6, 2011

A 25 year old Monticello man was pronounced dead at Drew Memorial Hospital, following a late night shooting at Pilgrim’s Rest apartments, on North Cooper Street.

According to reports, an early suspect has been released, and the investigation is ongoing.

Multiple 911 calls came into Monticello Police dispatch, requesting an ambulance and reporting the shooting at 11:50, Saturday night.

Arkansas State Police and the Monticello Police Dept . are investigating

The name of the victim has not been released, pending notification of next of kin.

This entry was posted on Friday, March 11th, 2011 at 6:23 am and is filed under Police /Legal, Video. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.