HOT SPRING, AK – A Hot Spring County man, armed with a shotgun, who fired the gun on local sheriff’s deputies was shot and killed this afternoon.
Jacob Aaron Thomas, 29, died at the scene of the shooting near his residence at 1374 Two Rivers Trail, southwest of Malvern (Hot Spring County).
Hot Spring County sheriff’s deputies had been sent to the location about 1:30 this afternoon following the report of a domestic disturbance at Thomas’ home.
After arriving in the area, deputies saw Thomas, armed with what was later identified as a shotgun, walking from a pasture toward the front of the residence. As Thomas approached closer, he reportedly opened fire on the deputies who returned gunfire killing Thomas. The deputies were not injured.
The Hot Spring County Sheriff’s Department has requested the assistance of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division to conduct an investigation of the incident.
Special Agents will present an investigative case file to the Hot Spring County Prosecuting Attorney who will determine whether the use of deadly force by a law enforcement officer was consistent with Arkansas laws.Questions that may relate to the identity of the sheriff’s deputies and their administrative duty status should be directed to the Hot Spring County Sheriff’s Department.