BAY, Ark. – In the early Friday morning hours at a gas station in Bay, a 21-year-old store clerk was robbed at gunpoint – and then shot.
The chaos began at around 1 a.m at the Valero gas station on Bay Drive. The suspect, described as an adult black male wearing a hoodie with the drawstrings pulled, arrived on foot.
Brandishing a gun, the suspect robbed the store clerk, Bay Police Department Sergeant Keith Milam told NEA Report. The adult male suspect then left on foot – reaching a getaway vehicle and leaving the area, police believe.
At close to 1:10 a.m., authorities from both Craighead and Poinsett counties were dispatched to the scene. A Trumann police officer and an officer from Bay both arrived first, equipped with the knowledge that a victim had been shot – but still carrying the unknown of where the shooter may be.
“They quickly cleared the building and started trying to provide first aid to the young lady who was shot behind the counter,” Milam said.
The victim was shot in the upper body once, possibly in the rib and lung section. She was transported to a nearby hospital, where sources indicated she had gone through surgery successfully later in the morning to repair the damage. While her exact condition was not known to NEA Report at this publication, sources indicated there was hope she would make a full recovery.
As Bay, Trumann and the Craighead County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene, they set up a perimeter and began investigating. Video surveillance showed an adult black male with a hoodie, hood up and drawstring pulled, committing the act. Only the nose and eyes were visible. However, that’s not all authorities have to go on, Milam said.
“We’ve also got some other leads and home surveillance from the area,” Milam said. “We are hoping that will come through in a big way in trying to identify who this guy.”
Authorities believe the suspect arrived and left on foot, but walked a short distance to a getaway vehicle. A K9 tracking unit was used and Milam said it was a positive track, with the dog perfectly tracking the area the suspect departed toward.
The CCSO collected evidence, Milam said, and will lead the investigation with Bay Police Department. Some evidence will be sent off to try to get matched up for a positive ID on, with Milam mentioning biological evidence, fingerprints, and such.
“Right now, we’re trying to determine make of vehicles and looking at mug shots from recent arrests to figure out who this guy is,” Milam said.
Bay Police Chief Paul Keith and the owner of the station met today and they are getting ready to put a reward togehter for Crimestoppers. Anyone with information or who overhears any useful info is asked to call the Bay Police Department at 870-781-3221 or call Crimestoppers at 870-935-7867 (STOP).
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