On the morning of December 3rd, 2015 the Newton County Sheriff’s Office received a call of a hunting accident near the Elkhorn Church on the western edge of Newton County.
Members of the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Compton First Responders and North Arkansas Regional Medical Center’s EMS team responded.
The scene was located in the woods behind a residence, where deputies located Aaron Villines, aged 42, who lived nearby. Deputies learned that Villines had been hunting with a family member. One of the hunters had shot a deer and the two were walking down to check on it. The family member stated that Villines was walking behind him with his rifle loaded and off safety. Villines apparently slipped on a moss covered rock and fell onto the rifle, which discharged. The projectile struck him in the chest.
Villines was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation is being handled by the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Newton County Coroner’s Office.