Woman accused of machete attack had to be tased before arrest

MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. – When authorities responded to a rural Mountain Home residence Saturday night, they found a man bleeding and cut badly from a machete attack.

They also found Dawn Louise Rowland, 44, holding a bottle of vodka. She was “extremely agitated” upon contact and she ended up being arrested before long.

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Official report of what happened

At approximately 7:04 PM Saturday, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of a physical domestic disturbance at 2325 Highway 5 North in which a man was reported to be cut up badly and lying on the ground covered in blood.  Deputies responded and made contact with Rowland, who became extremely agitated.  She was carrying a bottle of vodka. 

Deputies then found the male victim in front of the residence in a pool of blood and broken glass.  He told deputies that he had been attacked by Rowland and had been cut up with a machete.  He had several gashes on him.  He was quickly transported by ambulance to Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home for treatment.  The victim suffered serious injuries.  He was found to have four deep gashes from the machete as well as other cuts from broken glass.  The machete was found, seized, and taken into evidence.

While in the process of trying to load the victim for transport, Rowland reportedly came over and was shouting at responders. She was “very argumentative” said sheriff’s deputies and refused to stop interfering with the ambulance crew. That was the point authorities decided to take her into custody. But she didn’t go easy.

She resisted the arrest, and the deputy then used a TASER device to subdue her and effectuate the arrest, said the release. She was subsequently taken into custody and transported to the Detention Center. 

Dawn Rowland has been charged with:

• Domestic Battery in the First Degree – Felony
• Resisting Arrest – Misdemeanor
• Obstructing Governmental Operations – Misdemeanor

Rowland is being held in custody in lieu of $50,000 bond.  She will appear before the Circuit Court to answer charges on November 7th.