Harrisburg, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – August 26, 2024 – The suspect in Friday night’s shooting in Poinsett County has been formally charged.
Christopher Ford, 35, Harrisburg, appeared before Circuit Judge Scott Ellington Monday. Ellington found probable cause to set Ford’s bond at five million dollars (cash or surety bond) and ordered him held at the Poinsett County Detention Center. Ford was charged Saturday with:
1. Two Counts of Aggravated Assault
2. Criminal Attempt to Commit Capital Murder
3. Terroristic Act
4. Manufacture of a Schedule VI controlled substance (greater than 14 grams but less than 4 ounces)
5. Possession of Firearm by certain persons
6. Terroristic Threatening 1st Degree
Bullet Hole found in District Judge Ron Hunter’s mule following Saturday’s shooting incident
In addition, Ellington found probable cause to also charge Ford with forgery first degree and animal cruelty. During their investigation, deputies discovered that one of District Judge Ron Hunter’s mules had been shot during Saturday’s shooting incident. And, while searching Ford’s residence off Greenfield Road, several fake one-hundred-dollar bills were found.
On Friday night, Hunter, who lives on Greenfield Road, called 911 to report an unidentified man was threatening him on his property. Hunter said the man “came by in the dark and began spewing threats and obscenities from a hundred yards away.”
About an hour later, Hunter’s wife, Shelly, called 911 and reported that someone was firing shots into their home. A deputy sheriff was dispatched to the residence. While the deputy and Hunter were talking, more shots were fired in their direction. More deputies were dispatched. While the additional officers were responding the suspect directed his shots at them. No one was injured.
A search involving officers from several police agencies, and three drones was conducted Friday night and much of the day Saturday. In addition, Poinsett County Sheriff Kevin Molder had solicited help from the public. “If anyone has seen any suspicious activity or anyone walking along Greenfield Road Friday night, please call the Sheriff’s Department.” Saturday afternoon Molder told JRN “several promising leads had been received.”
Around 3:00pm Saturday Sheriff’s Deputies, Arkansas State Police and FBI agents executed a search warrant at Ford’s residence. At that time Ford was arrested and charged in connection with the shooting incident.
Hunter told JRN, “I want to say we are blessed in Poinsett County with the best Sheriff in the state. He is absolutely top shelf. They had officers all over the place within minutes and the other agencies were right behind them. God bless the folks in blue.”