MH shooting death ruled self-defense
A shooting death earlier this month at a residence in Mountain Home has been determined to be justified due to self-defense, following an investigation by the Mountain Home Police Department and the Arkansas State Police.
Mountain Home Police Chief Carry Manuel says the two agencies have completed their investigation into the shooting death of 34-year-old Paul James Assaf, and the 14th Judicial District Prosecutor’s Office has made the determination based on the findings.
In his release, Chief Manuel says 79-year-old Paula Robins of Mountain Home stated she was in bed around 9:41 pm when she heard a loud noise and her dogs began barking. She heard someone in
the hallway moving toward her bedroom. The subject entered her bedroom from the hallway and then entered the master bathroom. As the subject moved across the bedroom to the bathroom, she recognized him as her grandson and shouted, “get out.” She told him she had a gun and he said he also had a gun. Assaf, who did not live at the residence, was in the bathroom with his weapon pointed around the corner at Robins. They continued to speak and then he charged into the bedroom toward her, telling her to put the gun down and you are not going to shoot me. Robins saw his pistol and shot him once.
On arrival, officers found Assaf in the bedroom and without a pulse. Medical personnel arrived moments later. Assaf was deceased at the scene and the Baxter County Coroner’s Office was called to respond. A black automatic handgun was found near Assaf and initially was believed to be a working weapon, but closer examination revealed it to be a plastic BB handgun. ROBINS’ handgun, a .38 caliber revolver, was found on the dining room table. Officers found the back door to the residence had been “kicked in” allowing access to the residence by Assaf.
The relationship between Robins and Assaf had been deteriorating for some time due to ASSAF’s behavior. Assaf’s aggressive behavior toward her caused Robins to fear for her life during the past several months.
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Body of missing Mountain Home man found Wednesday evening
The body of 33-year-old Brandon Shane Comstock of Mountain Home, who was reported as a missing person since Tuesday of last week, was found Wednesday evening. According to Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery, a call came into the Baxter County 911 Center at approximately 5:03 Wednesday evening from a residence on Terry Place saying the homeowners had found a body inside an inoperable vehicle parked on their property. Terry Place is in the general area of where Comstock had been reported missing.
Investigators were able to say, without certainty, documentation found on his body, as well as tattoos, lead them to believe the body was his. Notification has been givern to his family and his body will be sent to the Arkansas State Medical Examiners Office for an autopsy. The cause and manner of death will not be known or determined until after an autopsy has been performed.
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Body identified in Izard County; 2 released from custody
A spokesperson for the Izard County Sheriff’s Office says the body found on Wayland Arbor Road near Dolph on Tuesday morning has been identified as 61-year-old Ricky Brown of Dolph.
Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Earnie Blackley says Brown apparently died as a result of a knife-inflicted injury. His body has been submitted to the State Medical Examiner’s office for an autopsy to assist in determining the matter and cause of death.
Blackley also says the two individuals who were taken into custody on Tuesday have been released pending the final outcome of the investigation. No charges have been filed.
The investigation will continue as the sheriff’s department awaits the results from the State Medical Examiner’s office and the Arkansas Crime Laboratory.
Blackley says they are confident the incident was not a random act, and there is no continuing threat to the community.
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Search for missing Ozark County teen continues
The search for a teen missing from Ozark County, 16-year-old Savannah Leckie, continues in its tenth day Sunday. According to Ozark County Sheriff Darrin Reed, Leckie disappeared from Longrun sometime between 11:00 last Wednesday night and 8:00 Thursday morning. Reed says the search for Leckie has been non-stop and they will not give up until she is found. His department has been using every resource available.
Leckie is a high functioning autistic and, according to authorities, will approach strangers “to a fault without understanding the dangers out there.
She is described as Caucasian, five-foot-two inches tall, petite, weighing 110 to 120 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. She goes by the nickname “mouse” or “Andy”. She was last seen wearing a t-shirt and jeans and may have a teal and pink computer bag.
Investigators believe she may be trying to return to other friends or family in Minnesota or searching for her biological father’s relatives in Hollister.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Ozark County Sheriff’s Office at 417-679-4633 or 911.
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Upcoming special election bringing changes for voters
Preparations are underway for the September 12 special election when voters will go to the polls to consider funding measures for two public safety measures.
On Tuesday evening, the Baxter County Quorum Court will consider a request from the Election Commission to re-appropriate $10,000 within the commission’s budget for properly assigning anticipated expenditures for the upcoming special election. Those funds will be used to cover the expense for poll workers. The total cost of the special election is estimated to run between $20-$25,000.
Election Commission Chairman Judy Garner says five poll workers will be assigned to each precinct, with 22 precincts open for the special election. Poll workers receive about $125 in compensation for the day that begins at 6:30 for them on the morning of the election.
Garner says the Election Commission is not charged for any of the facilities used for polling locations, which helps to keep down election overhead costs.
Garner says a sufficient number of poll workers have been secured for the special election and their training has already been completed.
Garner says there is one significiant change for those who normally would vote at the Baxter County Fairgrounds. With the special election falling during the annual fair week, that polling location has been moved to East Side Baptist Church.
Another significant change for the special election will be the use of paper ballots instead of the usual electronic voting machines.
Voters countywide will consider levying a one cent sales and use tax for eight months beginning March 1, 2018. Net proceeds from the tax would be used to expand the Baxter County Detention Center, as well as furnish and equip the new portion, and provide for the operation and maintenance of the jail. Voters will also be asked to consider levying a countywide one-quarter cent sales and use tax beginning November 1, 2018, following the expiration of the one cent sales and use tax. The one-quarter cent tax would be ongoing.
In addition, voters in Mountain Home will be asked to consider levying a 3/8 percent sales and use tax that would benefit the city’s fire and police departments.
Voting for the two measures was combined to the September 12 special election earlier this month when the Baxter County Quorum Court moved the date for the jail expansion initiative.
Early voting will begin on Tuesday, September 5 in the basement of the Baxter County Courthouse.
Polls will be open from 7 to 7 for the special election on September 12.
September 12 also kicks off the early voting period for the annual school election.
Voters will return to the polls on September 19 for the annual school election.
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