The male suspect and a female victim in Thursday’s shooting incident leading to the death of Stone County Sergeant Mike Stephen have been identified. According to the Arkansas State Police, 39-year-old Samuel Fullerton of rural Leslie was named as the suspect, and 32-year-old Erica Johnson suffered non-life threatening injuries.
The 56-year-old Stephen had been dispatched Thursday morning to the residence Fullerton and Johnson shared on Flag Road in southwestern Stone County for a domestic welfare check. Two other Stone County deputies were present with Stephen when the gunfire erupted.
Stephen’s body was released from the Arkansas State Crime Lab in Little Rock Friday morning. Newton County Sheriff Glenn Wheeler posted on Facebook he was part of the procession of law enforcement officers, fire departments and EMS personnel escorting Stephen’s body to and from the lab. The procession went through Stone, Searcy, Van Buren, Faulkner and Pulaski counties.
Special agents of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division continue to investigate the incident, and when completed, they will present their findings to the Stone County Prosecuting Attorney.
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