Three dead, including deputy, in rural Arkansas

Authorities were working to negotiate a suspect’s surrender Thursday after a sheriff’s deputy and two other people were found dead in rural Arkansas.Arkansas State Police spokesman Bill Sadler said a Yell County sheriff’s deputy was en route to a disturbance call early Thursday morning when he pulled over a vehicle. That deputy was fatally shot during the traffic stop, and when officers arrived at the location of the initial disturbance call, they found two more people dead, Sadler said.

The causes of death for the other two victims have not been released.

“This deputy checked in for duty this morning not even realizing that this would be his last call,” Sadler said. “Our hearts are saddened and we are in prayer for his family and the officers who were his comrades who serve and protect this county.”

Sadler said authorities believe the traffic stop and the disturbance call are connected. He said the suspected shooter was in a home in rural Arkansas and that officers are trying to coax him into surrendering.

“Priority one right now is to successfully get this suspect to this surrender and move forward in the investigation of what transpired this morning,” Sadler said.

The deaths occurred in rural Yell County, about 170 miles west of Little Rock.

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