Newton County authorities are searching for a suspect in a shooting incident Thursday evening that left the 55-year-old male victim “severely injured.”
Newton County Sheriff Glenn Wheeler says his office received a call shortly before 9 that a man had been shot near a residence south of Jasper, and the suspect had driven away in the victim’s van.
Deputies arrived to find the victim has been shot multiple times, including in the face, neck, shoulder, foot and both legs. Sheriff Wheeler says the man was alive, but severely injured.
Deputies rendered aid, and the man was transported by ambulance to a helicopter and airlifted to an unidentified trauma center. The victim was reported as critical, but stable on Friday when Sheriff Wheeler released information about the incident. The victim’s name has not been released pending family notification.
Deputies, along with officers from Jasper Police Department, Arkansas State Police, the 14th Judicial District’s Drug Task Force, Hasty constable and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission began searching for the suspect, 29-year-old Tyler Blue Breedlove.
Deputies learned Breedlove was allegedly stealing the victim’s van when the man and a witness came outside to investigate. Breedlove allegedly opened fire with a .12-gauge shotgun, firing three times, striking the victim with multiple buckshot projectiles. Breedlove then drove off in the victim’s white Toyota Sienna minivan with Arkansas license 947 XTY. The van is described as being very beat up and rough.
Wheeler says Breedlove knows the area very well and may be looking for another vehicle or hideout. Sheriff Wheeler says, “We are asking folks to lock their doors and be extra vigilant until he is located. He is armed with a shotgun for sure, and possibly more weapons and was obviously in a mindset to be violent. Please be extra cautious, lock all doors and vehicles. We dont want any more victims.”
Breedlove is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing approximately 150 pounds, with hazel eyes and brown hair. He recently had somewhat long hair and a beard. He is considered armed and dangerous and, if seen, should not be approached. Anyone with any information as to his whereabouts or the whereabouts of the van is asked to call the Newton County Sheriff’s Office at (870) 446-5124.
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