TRUMANN, Ark. – A father is dead and a man is in custody after a tragedy unfolded at Walmart on I-555 in Trumann, Arkansas.
With a population of 8,000, Police Chief Chad Henson knows most everyone in the community. The tight-knitted feel of small-town Arkansas provides a comfort in that most people shop in the same places for the same things. But at 9:16 PM Sunday night, April 22, 2018, the first call came in indicating a familiar setting for many had turned into a crime scene, a stand-off, and the site of a tragedy for the community.
Trumann police learned at 9:16 PM a man was at Walmart with a gun, said Henson to NEA Report. At 9:23 PM, officers arrived and made contact with the suspect. Henson said he was holding a woman at gunpoint. The suspect was approached by a man, possibly who somehow knew the parties according to Henson. As officers looked on, Henson said the suspect turned the gun on the innocent man and shot him to death in cold blood. The victim’s daughter saw it all happen.
For approximately the next 90 minutes, a stand-off situation ensued. Police arrived in Trumann from all surrounding jurisdictions to assist, closing off the area as officers in tactical gear surrounded the retail giant. Following the tense situation, Henson said the suspect surrendered to police and was taken into custody without further incident.
No names have been released as of this posting. Henson said next of kin had been notified of the victim but he was waiting to release the name later Monday.
Henson said grief counselors would be at the Trumann schools today. He asked the public to keep his officers and community in their thoughts in the wake of the horrific incident.
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