Arkansas Father Arrested in Fatal Shooting of Man Found in Car with His 14-Year-Old Daughter
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10/14/2024 06:03 PM
Aaron Spencer was arrested on a preliminary murder charge and released on bond but the local sheriff's office says no charges have been filed
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An Arkansas father was arrested after allegedly fatally shooting a man he found in a car with his missing child, authorities said.
Aaron Spencer was arrested on a first-degree murder preliminary charge and was taken to the Lonoke County Detention Center after the deadly Tuesday, Oct. 8 shooting, the Lonoke County Sheriff's Office said in a press release.
That afternoon, deputies were called to a home on Highway 236 in a response to a missing child report. While on the way there, they were notified that Spencer, the child's father, had found the child in a car with another man named Michael Fosler, according to the sheriff's office.
At some point, a confrontation between the two men ensued, resulting in a shooting. The sheriff's office said Fosler pronounced dead at the scene, where Spencer was taken into custody.
The sheriff's office confirmed to USA Today that the missing child was Spencer's 14-year-old daughter and said Fosler was in his 60s.
Jail records show Spencer has since posted bail and was released on Wednesday, Oct. 9, according to USA Today.
The sheriff's office described the murder charge as "preliminary" to the outlet, noting in a video later posted to the agency's Facebook page that it is prosecutors who decide to file charges in criminal cases, not law enforcement.
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Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley said no official charges have been filed. "I have not, nor will advocate for any specific charges," the sheriff said in the video. "This is a tragic situation and my thoughts and prayers are with all those involved."
Authorities did not specify what led to the incident. According to Stately, the investigation is ongoing and "only limited details can be released."
According to USA Today, Stately said Fosler was arrested in a different jurisdiction in July on suspicion of internet stalking of a child and sexual assault, but was released on bond.
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