DANVILLE - The Arkansas State Police confirms that a Yell County Sheriff’s Department deputy and two others are dead following a shooting southwest of Dardanelle this morning. Lt. Kevin Mainhart was killed in the line of duty, reportedly following a traffic stop.
Here are the updates as presented throughout the morning:
8:45 a.m. — Reports coming in via social media of a potential shooting and hostage situation near the Slo Fork Road area north and west of Chickelah. According to reports given to InsideFortSmith.com, the situation escalated from a manhunt to a hostage situation in the home seen on this live feed video provided by Facebook user Tim Tarkington.
KARK Television in Little Rock said via Twitter that they had gotten confirmation from the Arkansas State Police that they were assisting the Yell County Sheriff’s Department with a “possible shooting situation,” however no further details were available. Multiple reports indicate that it is believed one of the shooting victims could be a Yell County Sheriff’s Deputy.
9:00 a.m. — Mr. Tarkington’s video abruptly came to an end after he was asked to leave the scene by officers. He reported in a subsequent live video that he was advised that “things were about to get crazy” by deputies.
9:10 a.m. — Arkansas State Police spokesperson Liz Chapman tells our content partners at The Local Rundown that units are still responding and that the situation is “fluid.” ASP will not confirm the identity of any potential shooting victims at this time.
9:30 a.m. — The Arkansas State Police confirms that three persons have been shot. River Valley Medical Center is reportedly on lockdown.
10:00 a.m. — The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management says the situation in Yell County is “ongoing” and “very dangerous”. It is confirmed the shooter is holding two hostages.
11:00 a.m. - Sources close to the Yell County Sheriff’s Department tell InsideFortSmith.Com that officers have been able to begin some negotiations with the shooter, who is currently holding two hostages inside a residence. Unconfirmed reports also indicate two victims of the shooting may be relatives.
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office in Clarksville released the following via their Facebook page:
“It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we come to you, the Johnson County community, and ask that you join is in prayer for our fellow officers and fellow community citizens of Yell County in their time of need.
At this time, no details have been confirmed so we are not giving any information. However, we can say that tragedy has struck our friends in Yell County and we ask for your support and prayer.
Please do not try to contact any Yell County agencies for information, they need to have all their resources available and will release information at the appropriate time.”
12:00 p.m. - Hostage situation continues in a residence.
Stay with Today In Arkansas/InsideFortSmith.com for more information.
