January 13th, 2025       

            Newton County Sheriff Glenn Wheeler said his office received a 911 call on Saturday, January 11th, 2025 at approximately 3:35 P.M. of a shooting. The caller advised he had heard a shot at the residence at 615 E. Court Street in Jasper, then observed a Black Chevrolet Avalanche speed away from the residence north bound on Highway 7.

            As Deputies were responding to the scene, Dispatch received a call in refence to that vehicle being involved in a traffic accident at Twin Culverts, just north of Jasper.

            Deputies arrived at the crash scene to find two individuals, one of which was injured both from the crash and from an apparent gunshot wound to the hand. Arkansas State Police Troopers were responding to the shooting call and also arrived at the scene of the accident.

            Deputies and Troopers also arrived at the scene of the original call and secured that scene and made sure no one there was injured. Once that scene was secured, Arkansas State Police's Criminal Investigation Division was requested to assist with the investigation.

            The injured party was turned over the North Arkansas Regional Medical Center EMS and later airlifted to a Trauma Center in Springfield, Missouri. He has since been released. The other person in the truck refused medical treatment at the scene.

            The Jasper Police Department, Boone County Sheriff's Office and The National Park Service also assisted.

            Sheriff Glenn Wheeler said, "The investigation is continuing and we will have updates once we are able to provide those. But I can say at this point, that the shooting aspect of this appears to be a case of self-defense. Once the investigation is completed, I will update on any other actions being taken. I would like to thank the other agencies involved for their quick response and assistance with the situation, which could have been much worse."