A shooting incident late Thursday night at Clysta Willett Park in Mountain Home erupted after a group of teens gathered at the park to participate in or view a fight, according to an update from Mountain Home Police Chief Carry Manuel.The chief identified the shooting victim as 18-year-old Eric Pederson of Mountain Home.
The investigation uncovered that 10 individuals, both males and females, met a the park at approximately 11 p.m. for the fight. At some point, a 16-year-old Jonesboro male brandished a handgun, with Pederson attempting to take the weapon from the teen. Manuel says during the struggle, Pederson was shot in the leg.
Authorities were called to the scene after a 911 call Thursday night at 11:42. The caller reported his friend had been shot, and the shooter had fled into the woods. After a manhunt by officers from the Mountain Home Police Department, Baxter County Sheriff’s Office and Arkansas State Police, the alleged shooter was found in Carlisle Highlands on Johns Drive.
Investigators discovered the handgun used in the shooting was stolen from a residence on Gregg Road, which is near Johns Drive.
The 16-year-old Jonesboro male is charged with first-degree battery, aggravated assault, residential burglary and theft of property, all of which are felonies. Manuel also says a 16-year-old female was found to have entered the residence, as well, and was located with a bottle of morphine pills take from the home. She is charged with residential burglary and possession of a controlled substance. The girl’s hometown was not released by authorities.
The chief says Pederson was taken to Baxter Regional Medical Center for treatment, while the two arrested teens were turned over to Baxter County Juvenile Services and have been transported to an out-of-town juvenile lockup facility.
Manuel says the investigation is continuing.
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