The Kentucky State Police Special Response Team executed an arrest warrant at the residence of Shelby L. Shell, 29, in Berea, on Monday. Shell was arrested and charged with the death of Ronnie King, 59, of Evarts.

Shell was charged with murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, first-degree arson and tampering with physical evidence.

Shell has an extensive arrest history in Harlan County, including previous arrests for burglary, robbery, assault, and fleeing or evading police.

According to previous reports, King was found dead inside his Kelly Street residence on Feb. 18 when his brother, Jerome King, went to check on him after discovering smoke coming from the residence. Kentucky State Police and the Evarts Fire Department were called to the scene around 11 a.m. after King’s body was discovered due to a fire which had occurred inside the residence. Jerome King lived across the street from Ronnie King’s residence.

Harlan County Coroner Philip Bianchi sent the body to the state medical examiner’s office where an autopsy determined the cause of death was a gunshot wound.

KSP Public Affairs Officer Shane Jacobs, in a previous report, said personnel from the Kentucky State Police Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) branch from Frankfort and the State Fire Marshal’s Office were called in to assist in the investigation.

Ronnie King was a former mayor and council member for the city of Evarts, as well as the manager of Eastbrook Apartments.

Shell was transported back to Harlan County and lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $500,000 bond.

The case is being investigated by KSP Det. Michael Cornett.