A Delight man has pleaded “no contest” to an amended charge of second-degree murder for a 2024 shooting death and was sentenced to 25 years in the state prison.
Christian Marc Buster, 31, entered the plea on Thursday in Pike County Circuit Court after being held in the Pike County jail since April 27, 2024 on $500,000 bond. He was initially charged in May 2024 with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Oscar Alba, 34, of Delight and a no-contact order was issued for Alba’s fiancee, Lacey Hampton, who reportedly witnessed the shooting.
Buster was officially sentenced to the Arkansas Department of Corrections for a total of 35 years with 10 years suspended and credited for time served.
The Arkansas State Police investigated the shooting, which took place at Buster’s home at 1152 Highway 26 East the morning of April 27, 2024. Hampton told investigators that she, Alba and Buster had been drinking the night before and the couple had given Buster a ride home in Buster’s vehicle when the shooting happened. Hampton said Buster retrieved a pistol from the vehicle’s center console, exited and then began firing at Alba.
Once Alba fell to the ground, court records state Buster immediately began administering CPR life-saving efforts and told his mother to call 911. The weapon, a 9mm, was fired at least three times and two bullets struck Alba in the chest.
Buster said in a later interview that he fired the weapon in self defense because he felt threatened by Alba and Hampton and claimed the couple had abused him and were holding him against his will. Investigators noted Buster exhibited no signs of physical injuries on his face or body.
At the time of his arrest last year, Buster was an employee of the Howard County Sheriff’s Department where he worked as a jailer for approximately seven moths. He was terminated from that job the Monday following his arrest.
