Charges filed against suspect in officer shooting, manhunt

Prosecutors filed numerous charges last week against a Southwest Arkansas man who shot and wounded a De Queen police officer while leading law enforcement through a multi-county pursuit last month. According to records in the Sevier County Circuit Court, Kenneth Lee Smith, 37, is facing multiple felony counts following the shooting, pursuit and subsequent manhunt on July 8. Sevier County Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Erin Hunter said charges against Smith are likely to include aggravated residential burglary as well as four counts of attempted murder for the initial incident that day within a home on 113 Sweet Home Lane near De Queen.

Prosecutors also plan to file a charge of attempted capital murder for the shooting of De Queen Police Department Lt. Chad Bradshaw during the pursuit on July 8. Bradshaw was shot in his right shoulder, but continued pursuing Smith before retiring to seek medical treatment. He was released later that day to recover at his home.

Other charges filed against Smith include first degree battery on a law enforcement officer. Upon a conviction, the range of offenses could see Smith serving up to 40 years or life imprisonment.

Court records indicate that bond was not set for Smith during his court appearance this week. He has an additional hearing scheduled for Aug. 10.

The incident began following a report of a domestic disturbance at 113 Sweet Home Lane in De Queen. Upon arrival, the responding officer, Chris Turner of the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office, was met with gunfire and his patrol unit was hit with multiple rounds. Smith then reportedly fled the scene on a motorcycle, leading to the subsequent pursuit.

Smith was later located in Little River County with the assistance of dog and horse teams, as well as drones and an Arkansas State Police helicopter. The manhunt lasted several hours before Smith was apprehended without further incident.