Shooting injures Sebastian County man

FORT SMITH -- A man whom authorities believed to be a prowler in a barn in rural Sebastian County was shot and critically wounded Wednesday night, according to the Sebastian County Sheriff's Office.

A news release from the sheriff's office Thursday said the man, who wasn't identified, was taken to Baptist Health-Fort Smith where he was listed in critical but stable condition. The release said the man was expected to undergo surgery sometime Thursday.

No arrests were made, no names were released and the investigation was ongoing Thursday, the release said. When the investigation is completed, the reports will be turned over to the prosecutor for review.

The release said the sheriff's office received a call about 10 p.m. Wednesday from a property owner in the 5500 block of Echo Road in the Dayton community east of Huntington. The caller reported he believed a prowler was on his property and in his barn.

While deputies headed to the scene, the property owner called a nearby family member to come to the barn and help him. The relative arrived and began to look in the barn.

As he looked, he was startled by movement between some equipment and could tell it was a person, the release said.

"Unsure of the person's intentions and whether or not the subject had a weapon, the family member shot one round," the release said. "The subject was hit."

The wounded man was held at gunpoint until deputies arrived. Sebastian County EMS transported him to the hospital in Fort Smith.

NW News on 12/14/2018

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