A teenager who was initially charged as an adult in the fatal shooting of a Conway teenager has transferred to the Sheridan School District.
The Fire began looking into the case after several readers and concerned community members reached out over the weekend.
A Freedom of Information request by the Fire was sent to the Sheridan School District Monday. Questions were also sent to the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA). The school responded to the FOIA. AAA did not respond to questions.
At the time of the FOIA, the school district stated, “The Sheridan School District does not maintain a written policy, handbook provision, athletic code of conduct, or administrative guideline specifically addressing athletic participation by a student who has been charged with, but not convicted of, a felony.”
However, on Wednesday, Circuit Court Judge Chris Carnahan in Faulkner County judge agreed to lift a condition of the teen’s release that had barred him from parks, schools, playgrounds, day cares and pediatric clinics.
In a statement provided to the Fire Thursday afternoon, the Sheridan School District said: "A decision has been made that as long as the student remains eligible under AAA and school requirements, he will be allowed to participate."
The district's statement did not specify which activities the eligibility decision covers.
Hayden Sublette was arrested in October 2025 in connection with the October 19, 2025, shooting death of a 17-year-old at the Bear Haven Apartments in Conway, near the University of Central Arkansas campus.
News outlets reported at the time that he was initially charged as an adult with capital murder and aggravated robbery.
Felony information filed December 18, 2025 by Faulkner County Prosecuting Attorney Carol Crews formally charged Sublette with aggravated robbery, manslaughter and hindering apprehension or prosecution. Those are the same charges reflected court documents this week.
The manslaughter count is brought under a felony-manslaughter theory, alleging the victim's death occurred during or in immediate flight from an alleged controlled-substance offense. Three others were also arrested in connection with the case.
The Fire has asked Sublette's attorney for further comment on the case. Sublette's attorneys did not respond to a request for comment by publication.
According to an Agreed Order Modifying Conditions of Release filed August 26, 2026, in Faulkner County Circuit Court, Sublette first appeared before Carnahan in October 2026. The court's initial conditions barred him from being present anywhere children might congregate.
On December 22, 2025, Faulkner County Circuit Judge Troy Braswell set bond at $400,000, cash or surety, along with several conditions: electronic monitoring, compliance with all state, federal and local laws, abstention from drugs and alcohol, a prohibition on possessing firearms or dangerous weapons, compliance with a no-contact order, compliance with the bonding company's conditions, and a requirement to maintain contact with his attorneys at James Law Firm.
The August 26 order, signed by Carnahan, removed only the restriction on Sublette's presence near children. All other conditions remain in place. T
The order warns that failure to abide by the release conditions is grounds for revocation, which would return Sublette to custody until the case is resolved.
The order was prepared by William O. "Bill" James Jr. and Alex Morphis of James Law Firm in Little Rock, who represent Sublette.
Sublette's own athletic recruiting profile on Hudl lists him as a Sheridan High School Boys Varsity Football player, Class of 2027.
Before the case, he was a recruited prospect. According to Arkansas Democrat-Gazette recruiting reporter Richard Davenport, the University of Arkansas became the first school to offer the then-Bryant High School junior a scholarship after he stood out at a Razorback lineman camp in June 2024.
Sublette has not been convicted of any crime.
According to a scheduling order filed August 13, 2026, in Faulkner County Circuit Court, a pre-trial hearing in the case is set for October 26, 2026.
The order notes that Sublette has waived his right to a speedy trial and that a pending defense motion was the basis for the continuance.
That motion, filed August 12, 2026, states that Sublette's attorneys and the state are in plea negotiations that could eliminate the need for a trial.
Deputy Prosecutor John Hout did not object to the continuance.
The Sheridan Yellowjackets with Coach Keven Kelley at the helm kicks off its season Friday night on its home turf against its number one rival the White Hall Bulldogs.