Suspect in DQPD officer shooting, pursuit and manhunt to face multiple counts

Authorities are set to file numerous charges against a Southwest Arkansas man who shot and wounded a De Queen police officer while leading law enforcement through a multi-county pursuit earlier this month.

Although formal charges have not yet been filed, Kenneth Lee Smith, 37, is expected to face 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 expected against Smith include first degree battery on a law enforcement officer and felony fleeing. Upon a conviction, the range of offenses could see Smith serving up to 40 years or life imprisonment.

Formal charges are expected to filed against Smith later this week.

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.

Sevier County Sheriff Robert Gentry said that his deputies’ training – and specifically that of Chris Turner – was on full display during the incident and helped ensure there was no loss of life.

“Deputy Chris Turner displayed his full training that day,” said Gentry. “We often wonder what we would do if we came under fire and Deputy Turner did exactly what the training teaches you to do when that happens.”

Authorities said Smith had multiple interactions with law enforcement in the past several weeks due to reports of domestic disturbances at his home. No one inside the home was reportedly injured during the incident on Saturday.