SPRINGDALE -- A man was injured in a shooting Wednesday afternoon near Springdale High School not long after the school day ended, police said.
Police received multiple calls of gunshots, one of them at 4:13 p.m., said police Sgt. Josh Kirmer. The incident occurred on the west side of the buildings at 402 S. Thompson St. Suite 9 and 1003 Wilkinson Lane, which back up to each other.
Someone dropped off an injured man at Northwest Medical Center-Springdale in relation to the incident, Kirmer said. He said he couldn't confirm the type of injury the man had, and he said he didn't know his name or age.
Police received reports of five to nine shots, Kirmer said. More than a dozen people in their teens and 20s near where the gunfire happened ran away, Kirmer said.
Rolando Ortiz, owner of nearby Last Chance Automotive at 1007 Enterprise Lane, Suite A, said his son heard gunshots and saw "guys" running away.
A news release said police were looking for a juvenile suspect who was armed. Officers remained on the scene late afternoon and into the evening Wednesday.
Yellow caution tape was strung up to block off the west side of the buildings. Police officers pulled back part of the siding on the Wilkinson Lane building and removed some insulation. Kirmer explained police found a possible bullet hole in the side of the building and were looking for the bullet.
Kirmer said he didn't know if any Springdale High School students were involved, nor did Rick Schaeffer, communications director for the Springdale School District.
The school day ended at 4 p.m at Springdale High School, said Jim Rollins, superintendent of the Springdale School District. Springdale High School Principal Pete Joenks said some students were walking home at the time of the gunfire.
Police alerted school officials to the situation, Joenks said. School staff kept students inside who were waiting to ride buses or were on campus for programs. Police then told school staff that students could go outside, but they needed to stay away from the east side of campus.
The reported gunfire comes four days after two men were injured by gunfire early Sunday morning at Pleasant Street Townhome, 1101 N. Pleasant St. in Springdale.
One man was grazed by bullets and another was hospitalized with three bullet wounds to his legs, according to a news release from the Springdale department. Police said the men's injuries were not life-threatening but have declined to release further information.
Police arrested a man Tuesday who they believe was involved in an Aug. 4 drive-by shooting that left bullet holes in a home at 1310 Crutcher St. in Springdale. Michael J. Gutierrez, 30, was booked into the Washington County jail in connection with the incident. No one was injured, according to residents and a police report.
The shootings continue a string of violent incidents in Springdale this spring and summer.
Springdale police arrested two men July 1 in the shooting of a 14-year-old boy while he was riding a bicycle June 25 near Marylyn Street and Crawford Avenue. Jose Yanez, 18, of Rogers and Hector Vega, 20, of Lowell were arrested on charges of attempted capital murder and engaging in gang activity. Police did not release the identity of the boy, who was wounded in the hand and leg.
Records show police believe that shooting stemmed from a chance encounter between "rival gangs" at a nearby Kum & Go convenience store at 1010 N. Thompson St.
Fabian Rodriguez, 18, was fatally shot and two others were injured by shots March 13 at 32 Applegate Drive in Springdale. Hector Saul Ramos, 17, was charged in connection with his death.
Then on April 11, Jimmy Rodriguez, 20, died after being injured in a drive-by shooting at 609 Savage St. in Springdale. Police arrested a 13-year-old boy and three men in connection with that crime.
NW News on 08/20/2015