HARRISBURG, Ark. — Authorities from at least five different agencies mobilized a manhunt for a suspect who reportedly shot at a judge at his home, then law enforcement, Friday night in Poinsett County. A suspect was arrested Saturday evening. On Monday, his bail was set at $5 million.
At about 8:33 p.m. on August 23, Poinsett County 911 received a call from Judge Ron Hunter reporting that an unidentified man was threatening him on his property, according to a release from the sheriff’s office. Deputies responded but they were unable to find the individual.
At around 9:33 p.m. the judge’s wife called 911 to report someone had fired shots at their home. A deputy arrived shortly after the call and spoke to the judge. As they were speaking, the unknown suspect began shooting at the judge and the deputy. The deputy radioed ‘shots fired.’ As other deputies arrived, the shooter then redirected their fire toward responding officers, the release said. Fortunately, no one was injured.
The Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office, Craighead County Sheriff’s Office, Harrisburg Police Department, Jonesboro Police Department, and Arkansas State Police mobilized to search for the suspect, including the use of three drones.
6:40 PM UPDATE: The sheriff released the following to NEA Report Saturday evening:
On August 24, 2024, at approximately 3:00 PM, a search warrant was executed by the Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas State Police, and FBI in the Greenfield area on Daisy Road. This operation was linked to a shooting incident involving Judge Ron Hunter and law enforcement on the evening of August 23, 2024.
Following the search, 35-year-old Christopher Ford from Harrisburg was arrested on multiple charges, including:
1. Two Counts of Aggravated Assault
2. Criminal Attempt to Commit Capital Murder
3. Terroristic Act
4. Manufacture of a Schedule VI controlled substance (greater than 14 grams but less than 4 ounces)
5. Possession of a Firearm by certain persons
6. Terroristic Threatening 1st Degree
A nearby resident sent this photo of authorities as they executed the search warrant:
At about 2:45 p.m. on Monday, August 26, Christopher Ford went before Judge Scott Ellington for a Probable Cause Hearing. Judge Ellington found Probable Cause and set a Five-million-dollar cash or surety bond.
It was discovered that one of Judge Hunter’s Mules was shot during the incident, the sheriff’s office reported.
Authorities also said counterfeit $100 bills were found during the search warrant executed on Saturday.
Ford is being charged with two additional crimes: first-degree forgery and animal cruelty.
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