According to the Independence County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded Feb. 12 to a reported shooting at a home on Rainey Lane.
When deputies arrived, they found Dakota Chavers unresponsive on a couch. Deputies applied a tourniquet to Chavers’ arm and began chest compressions until an ambulance arrived. Chavers was transported to White River Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Court documents state Chavers suffered gunshot wounds to his wrist and chest. Investigators noted the injuries were consistent with a possible defensive wound.
Chavers’ body and evidence collected at the scene were sent to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for analysis, according to Detective Dalton Wallace.
The sheriff’s office received the completed autopsy and medical examiner’s case feedback Feb. 17. Wallace said the findings were consistent with what investigators observed at the scene.
Wallace interviewed several family members who were in the home at the time of the shooting. An affidavit states one witness reported Allen exited the room after the shooting, saying he did not mean to.
During initial questioning, Wallace said Allen denied involvement, stating the rifle had fallen over and caused the injuries.
However, during a post-Miranda interview, Wallace and Chief Deputy Moody explained crime lab findings indicating the bullet was in level flight. Investigators said Allen then admitted that while horseplaying, he picked up the rifle and pointed it at Chavers. Allen stated Chavers told him the gun was loaded, and as he moved it away, it fired, striking Chavers and causing the injuries that led to his death.
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