Suspect in shooting dead after officer spots, stops

ROCKPORT - A Donaldson man sought by Hot Springs police in connection with the shooting of a local man Monday was shot and killed early Wednesday during a confrontation with a Rockport police officer in Hot Spring County, authorities said.

Brandon Rennie Turner, 34, who was classified as a highrisk-level sex offender, was being sought by Hot Springs Police Department felony warrants for attempted capital murder and aggravated robbery for the shooting of William Adams at 250 Dowell Lane on Monday afternoon, authorities said.

Hot Springs Police Department Cpl. McCrary Means said Wednesday the aggravated robbery charge stems from information developed by detectives that Turner was in the process of robbing Adams when he shot him once in the face at close range inside the victim’s pickup.

According to Arkansas State Police, about 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Hot Spring County authorities responded to a robbery call at the Wishbone Store on Arkansas 84 in Bismarck.

A short time later, a Rockport police officer spotted a vehicle that matched the description of a vehicle believed to be driven by the robbery suspect.

The pickup was stopped by police in the Wal-Mart parking lot between Malvern and Rockport. The officer reportedhearing a gunshot from inside the pickup and returned gunfire toward the driver.

Turner was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was later transported to the state crime lab.

Hot Springs police, Hot Spring County sheriff’s office and Arkansas State Police all responded, and it was later confirmed it was the same suspect being sought by Hot Springs police.

The Arkansas State Police news release notes an investigative file regarding Wednesday’s incident will be submitted to the prosecuting attorney for review.

According to earlier information, Adams, the victim in Monday’s incident, was listed in stable condition at Mercy Hospital Hot Springs. The shooting occurred about 4 p.m. near the residence on Dowell Lane, which is located in the area of Shady Grove Road near the King Expressway, authorities said.

The victim was reportedly staying at the residence at the time of the shooting. The victim’s former father-in-law, who was also at the residence, had fired a shot at the suspect as he fled the scene, but apparently didn’t hit him.

Details about how Adams knew Turner or what led to the robbery and shooting were not being released Wednesday.

According to the Arkansas Crime Information Center’s Sex Offender Registry Search, Turner’s offense is listed as first-degree sexual assault.

Northwest Arkansas, Pages 12 on 07/04/2013

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